I did not agree with Driti’s plans-Tevita Korovou

I did not agree with the plans as I did not want any more bloodshed in the military camp.

Those were the words of the second prosecution witness, Warrant Officer Tevita Korovou as he took the witness stand in former Land Force Commander, Pita Driti's trial.

Korovou who is the head of the 26 member Unarmed Combat Platoon in the RFMF said that he has come across the coups in 1987, 2000 and 2006 and it was clear that the path being taken by Driti would have led to a coup in 2010.

While being questioned by senior prosecution council from Hong Kong, Audrey Campbell-Moffat, Korovou confirmed that Pita Driti had called him in for a meeting in September 2010 when Driti was still the RFMF's Land Force Commander.

Korovou said he could not believe what Driti told him in his office, and Korovou said he rejected Driti's idea. 

He said Driti only wanted to use him and the platoon.

Korovou also said in court that Pita Driti told him that he did not agree with the government as he said that the Prime Minister and Army Commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama always listens to the Attorney General and does not listen to the military council.

Tevita Korovou also said that Driti told him that he was concerned as his Chief of Staff, Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara was sent on leave by the Commander.

During the cross examination, Driti's lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo asked Korovou several times to confirm that things that he says Driti said to him were never said. 

But Korovou maintained in court that Driti said those things to him.

Vosarogo also asked Korovou to confirm if Driti had asked him whether Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara wanted to use Korovou and his platoon.

Korovou said he never spoke to Ratu Tevita Mara about this issue.

Pita Driti is charged with uttering seditious comments and inciting to mutiny.

 

 

There were revelations in former Land Force Commander, Pita Driti's High Court trial today that Driti's nephew, Ben Padarath had contacted a former military intelligence officer to meet with Driti in Suva in September 2010.

Fred Driver who is the third prosecution witness currently works for FICAC.

Driver was the RFMF's intelligence officer from 2000 to 2009. 

In 2009 he moved to FICAC.

However he revealed in court today that in September 2010, Driti's nephew, Ben Padarath called Driver and said that Driti wanted to see him at Waimanu Road.

Driver then informed the Deputy Commissioner of FICAC that Driti wanted to see him and he then went to meet Driti at the location. 

There Driti asked Fred Driver where is the allegiance of the RFMF.  

Driver said that he told Driti that he did not know as he is with FICAC.

Fred Driver said that Driti then asked him to get the salary details of the Prime Minister and the Attorney General from Nur Bano Ali's office. 

Driver said he cannot get the information as he was with FICAC.

During the cross examination by Driti's defense lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo, Fred Driver was asked to confirm that Driti did not ask Driver about the RFMF's allegiance and the discussion was only on where the military intelligence was focused on. 

Driver maintained that it was not said in that way. 

He said that when he called the then head of the military's intelligence unit, Lt Colonel Jone Kalouniwai to inform him about the discussions at the time, Driver made it clear that Driti wanted to know where the RFMF's allegiance lies.

 

Driver also said that when he went back after meeting Driti, he spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of FICAC who then advised him to call Lt Colonel Jone Kalouniwai.

Former RFMF Land Force Commander, Pita Driti is charged with uttering seditious comments and inciting to mutiny.