The Suva High Court has instructed the State to submit affidavits addressing the late submission of trial documents in the case involving former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma. This development occurred in court yesterday, presided over by Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
State counsel reported that additional trial documents were filed last week, prompting a request to defer the trial date by two weeks. However, defense attorney for Dr. Sharma, Wylie Clarke, expressed that these extensive documents place the defense at a significant disadvantage, making it nearly impossible to meet the original trial schedule. Clarke argued for the necessity to vacate the current trial dates in favor of rescheduling to March next year to allow adequate time for review.
During the proceedings, Gul Fatima, representing Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum, highlighted the challenges created by the State’s insistence on moving forward with the trial this year, which forced them to reschedule other civil cases well into the next year. Fatima revealed that she received three cartons of documents just last week and is still working to review them.
Justice Ratuvili underscored the need for an explanation regarding the circumstances leading to the belated submission of such a large volume of documentation shortly before the trial. The defense teams have indicated that they will be seeking costs related to the delay and were advised to prepare relevant submissions for the court’s consideration.
Bail for the defendants has been extended, and the court will reconvene next Monday to further discuss the matter. The case highlights ongoing legal complexities and issues surrounding accountability within Fiji’s political framework, as all parties involved aim for a resolution that enhances trust in government operations. Legal experts and the public are closely monitoring these proceedings, as they could have wide-reaching implications for governance and public office integrity in the country.