I gave a command directive to the head of the Logistics Support Unit in 2010, Lt Colonel Manasa Tagicakibau to track the activities of the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Those are the comments of the former RFMF Land Force Commander,
Pita Driti as he decided to take the witness stand in his trial today.
While being questioned by his lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo, Driti confirmed that he had a meeting with Tagicakibau where they discussed some issues relating to the procurement of certain items like army uniforms and boots.
Driti said that Tagicakibau was concerned about the way the purchasing was being done.
Driti then revealed in court that he spoke to Tagicakibau about the Attorney General and the way the government was run.
Knowing that there were many intelligence cells within the RFMF, Driti ordered Tagicakibau to track all the activities of Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Pita Driti said he told Tagicakibau that there were reports of the Attorney General's alleged corrupt dealings.
Driti said this sounded like a serious matter which he had to investigate.
He said reports on this information came in the form of documents and verbally.
Driti said he told Tagicakibau that he was not happy with the running of the government and the Attorney General needs to be removed because he has been influential in the decisions made by the government.
Driti also said in court that he told Tagicakibau that the Prime Minister was listening too much to the Attorney General and not the military council.
The former Land Force Commander also said that he then started receiving verbal intelligence updates on the activities from the Logistics Support Unit.
Driti also revealed that a core group of officers were holding meetings and giving advice to the Army Commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama prior to the December 2006 takeover.
Driti was part of the team which later became the military council after the events of December 2006.
Pits Driti said prior to December 2006, the core group's responsibility was to advise the Commander on the Laisenia Qarase led government's activities, policies and corrupt deals.
He also said that the group was responsible for the planning of the overthrow of the Qarase government.
Driti said after December 2006, the military council was meeting on a weekly basis to advise Commodore Bainimarama.
Most of the meetings were held in the cabinet room at Government Buildings.
Driti has decided to take the stand in his trial after the prosecution wrapped up it's case earlier today.
After the prosecution wrap up, presiding judge, Justice Paul Madigan asked Driti to stand up and told him that he has decided that Driti has a case to answer based on the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Justice Madigan then asked Driti what he has decided.
Driti said he will take the witness stand as he has no other witnesses. Stay with us, we will have more later this afternoon.
Driti is charged with uttering seditious comments and inciting to mutiny.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
