Former NLTB Board Member Keni Dakuidreketi, former General Manager Kalivati Bakani and Official Alanieta Vakatale today pleaded not guilty to charges laid against them in the High Court.

They were charged with a count of conspiracy to affect an unlawful purpose mainly the defrauding of the NLTB funds, two counts of fraudulent conversion and abuse of office.

This involved the computer information technology system MYSAP which was set up by Pacific Connex between March 2004 and July 2007 and which cost $3.7 million.

Bakani and Vakatale pleaded not guilty to all four charges while Dakuidreketi pleaded not guilty to the first three, which applies to him.

The case was heard before Justice Paul Madigan.

Before the pleas were taken, Bakani's lawyer Devinesh Sharma made an application in court that the charges be struck out as the court had been waiting since 8.30 this morning with FICAC lawyer Aca Rayawa not bothering to show up until half an hour later.

Rayawa apologised for coming late as FICAC had three other urgent matters in the high court which they had to prepare the documentation for.

Justice Madigan told Rayawa that Sharma had a very well founded application as the court was supposed to convene at 8.30 and he asked Rayawa whether he didn't think the matter was urgent and not as important as the other cases.

Rayawa apologised for his lateness, Sharma accepted the apology, allowing the continuation of the case.

Justice Madigan summed up saying the court case will be called before Justice Daniel Gounder on 26th January 2010 who will then decide on a hearing date.

There was no reason given for this change.