Full particulars of the alleged offences faced by former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase and former Fijian Holdings Limited CEO, Sitiveni Weleilakeba have been revealed as the decision to consolidate their charges was made by High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Gounder.

Qarase's charges range from abuse of office to conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose that is to contravene the provisions of the Companies Act.

He is facing a total of 8 counts where it is alleged that in the 1990's, Qarase conspired with others and allotted FHL shares to companies listed under his family without declaring his interest in these companies.

It is alleged that while Qarase was the Director of FHL, member of the Fijian Affairs Board and advisor to the Great Council of Chiefs, 200,000 Class A shares in FHL were acquired indirectly in 1992 by means of a Qarase family company named Q-Ten Investments Limited.

It is alleged that Qarase abused the powers of the offices he held and applied in the name of Q-Ten Investments Limited for the issuance and allotment of Class A shares in FHL, in priority to other eligible applicants, and while doing so failed to disclose his interest in and relationship with Q-Ten to FHL, FAB or GCC.

Another count in relation to the charge is that Qarase was allegedly involved in approving the issuance and allotment of the 200,000 shares to Q-Ten Investments.

Court documents revealed that Qarase allegedly did the same for the Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited and Mavana Investments Limited where he allegedly applied in the two's names for the issuance and allotment of shares in FHL between 1991 and 1992.
 
It is alleged that while applying for the issuance and allotment of the FHL shares, Qarase did not disclose his interest and relationship with the two entities for the purpose of gain, namely to benefit and give an unfair advantage to the shareholders of Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited and Mavana Investments Limited, thereby causing prejudice to the rights of the Provincial and Tikina Councils, FAB and all other eligible indigenous Fijian people.

It is also alleged that Qarase abused his powers by approving the issuance and allotment of the FHL shares without disclosing his interest.

Weleilakeba is charged with one count of conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose, forgery and uttering a forged document where it is alleged that he contravened the provisions of the companies act, allegedly forged a Special resolution of the Companies AGM and allegedly ratified the allotment of shares of FHL.

The prosecution has alleged in it's grounds for consolidation that Qarase and Weleilakeba used their positions in Fijian Holdings Limited to cause unlawful allotment of FHL shares to their companies, namely, Q-Ten Investments Limited owned by Qarase and Stiks Holdings Limited owned by Weleilakeba, and to companies held by other individuals who were not eligible at the time to purchase FHL shares.

The case will be recalled on the 18th of next month to check on disclosures.


Story by: Vijay Narayan