Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has been discharged in relation to the Native Land Trust Board case after FICAC filed a nolle prosequi this morning.
This means that FICAC does not want to take the case further.
Qarase who was charged with two counts of abuse of office appeared in court before High Court Judge Justice Janaka Bandara.
FICAC lawyer Vincent Parera only said in court that FICAC has decided to enter a nolle prosequi.
Justice Bandara then discharged Qarase.
His passport has also been returned to him.
Speaking to Fijivillage, Qarase said he and his wife are ready to have a big celebration as he is a happy man today.
Meanwhile, former General Manager of Native Land Trust Board, Kalivati Bakani and former NLTB Director and Chairman of the Vanua Development Corporation, Keni Dakuidreketi appeared before Justice Janaka Bandara.
Bakani and Dakuidreketi are charged with four counts of Fraudulent Conversion.
Bakani also faces one count of Abuse of Office.
Dakuidreketi’s counsel Wylie Clarke and Bakani’s counsel Filimoni Vosarogo both told the judge that some important documents that will build their defense are yet to be gathered.
Judge Bandara stressed the necessity to fix this case for trial stating that this process of discovering the documents cannot go on indefinitely.
He indicated that he intends to fix this case for trial early next year since his diary is filling up with other cases and that the Court will not be able to fix a trial date at least in next year if this process of discovery is prolonged.
The three men were charged with conspiring to transfer ownership and control of the Extinct Mataqali Funds in 2002 without proper approvals of the NLTB and the Fijian Affairs Board.
It is also alleged that Bakani and Dakuidreketi fraudulently converted a government grant into operational costs in 2005.
The case will be called again on the 18th of next month.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Sofaia Koroitanoa
