Driti said the plan came first to him through Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
He said Mara discussed a few options with Driti at Driti’s residence at QEB.
Driti said these options which included the overthrow of the government were first discussed between Mara and Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz.
One of the options was to overthrow the government when Commodore Bainimarama goes to Sudan, cancel his passport and not allow him back in the country.
They were also hoping that the Australian and NZ forces would assist them.
Driti said the option of the removal of the government to him was “A no no”.
He said Aziz also told him that the option to remove the government will take a lot of detailed planning and further legal consideration.
Driti said that he had asked Aziz if this was a set up and Aziz told him that it wasn’t.
Driti said he thought the best option was to make a brief and take it to the Military Council for the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to step down.
Driti denied the allegation made by Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Tagicakibau that Driti had said that the Commander had lost the anointment from God based on advice from prayer groups.
He said during his conversation with Tagicakibau, he spoke about the Attorney General and that he was unhappy with the way the government was running.
He then ordered Tagicakibau to track the activities of the Attorney General.
Pita Driti said that during his meeting with Tagicakibau, he never discussed the removal of the Army Commander and the overthrow of the government.
Driti also confirmed meeting with FICAC officer Fred Driver at an apartment in Waimanu Road.
Driti said he only asked Driver to get the salary details of the Commander and Attorney General from Nur Bano Ali’s office.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Watisoni Butabua
