A forensic Accountant from New Zealand today gave detailed account of how funds from the Ministry of Agriculture were allegedly misused under the Farming Assistance Scheme in 2000 and 2001 while giving evidence in the case against Pita Alifereti, Josefa Tapele and Peli Kete.

Clive Hudson informed High Court Judge Justice Isikeli Mataitoga that he was requested by the Fiji Police in May 2004 to help analyse and assess documents obtained in relation to the Agriculture Scam.

Hudson highlighted that between 2000 and 2001, 39 separate payments over $372,000 was paid by the Ministry of Agriculture to Director of Repina Wholesalers Pita Alifereti, while over $113,000 was paid by Repina to the Former Senior Accountant at the Ministry Suliasi Sorovakatini.

After assessing the documents, Hudson revealed that in early June 2001, Repina Holdings made five payments to the Ministry, through Sorovakatini, totaling $41,163. Then on June 12th, the Ministry issued 5 LPO's to Repina Wholesalers which also totaled $41,163 and the payment was made on the same day.

However, two days later, the Ministry again made a payment of $41,163 on the same LPO's and Hudson told the court that he saw no commercial or accounting reason for the payment to be made.

The Forensic Accountant also revealed how this money was then used to purchase a Mitsubishi Pajero from Nivis Motors, through payments from Repina, but purchased under Sorovakatini's name.

Hudson also stressed that there was no evidence to substantiate Alifereti and Sorovakatini's claims that the monies paid by Repina was a loan.

He also highlighted documentary evidence of alleged payments made by Repina Wholesalers to second accused Peli Kete amounting to $8000 between April 2000 to March 2001 while the third accused Josefa Tapele is alleged to have received a cheque of $258 from Alifereti.

The case continues this afternoon with Inspector Isireli Tagicaki to take the stand.