The Suva High Court has ruled that there will now be a joint trial for Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and former CEO of Fijian Holdings Sitiveni Weleilakeba.
Qarase and Weleilakeba were charged separately and FICAC made an application to consolidate the charges saying a joint trial is not prejudicial to the two accused but beneficial in a sense that they would be guaranteed consistency in verdict.
While accepting the submission, Judge Justice Daniel Goundar stated that Qarase and Weleilakeba are charged with the same alleged conspiracy on one count, and while they are charged with different offenses on the remaining counts, the court is satisfied that the alleged offenses are founded on the same facts.
Qarase is charged with 8 counts of abuse of office where it is alleged that between December 1991 and November 1992, while being Director of Fijian Holdings Limited, member of the Fijian Affairs Board and Advisor to the Great Council of Chiefs, conspired with others allotted FHL shares to companies listed under his family without declaring his interest in these companies.
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.
Judge Goundar has given both counsels 14 days to file the consolidated charges against Qarase and Weleilakeba.
Story by: Roneel Lal
