The trial of the eight men facing the charge of conspiracy to murder Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry continued today in the High Court as the defense counsel started cross-examining state witness Lance Corporal Peniasi Kuli on why there was no record of the dates of the alleged meetings that took place between the accused and himself.

Defense Counsel Mehboob Raza questioned Lance Corporal Peniasi Kuli as to why in all of the four statements given to Police, on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of November 2007 were there no mention of the specific dates of the meetings that allegedly took place to plot the assassination of the Prime Minister.

The accused persons include Naitasiri high chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Feoko Gadekibau, Barbados Mills, Sivaniolo Naulago, Metuisela Mua, Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Ramulo.

Lance Corporal Peniasi Kuli said in court that recalling the dates of the meetings was not his main concern at that point in time, as his main focus was to inform his superiors of the plan which was in place to execute the Prime Minister.

He said in court that some of the ways that was put forward as a way to carry out the assassination was to poison the Prime Minister's food and drink, to try and attempt to execute a head on collision vehicle accident involving the Prime Minister's vehicle, or to use a sniper gun to shoot the Prime Minister.

Lance Corporal Kuli said in court that these suggestions were made as Ballu Khan had allegedly wanted some ideas during the meeting.
 
The case continues this hour before Judge Justice Paul Madigan.

Defence Counsel, Mehboob Raza is currently cross-examining Kuli.