Former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma’s legal representative, Wylie Clarke, is demanding $20,000 in costs from the State due to delays caused by late disclosures ahead of the trial. Dr. Sharma is facing charges alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, all of whom are implicated in serious allegations concerning procurement regulations.
The trial was originally set to commence today, presided over by Justice Usaia Ratuvili, but was postponed following the State’s revelation of three additional cartons of documentation to the defense, just prior to the trial start. Clarke has characterized this situation as embarrassing, emphasizing the importance of timely disclosures in ensuring a fair trial process. Notably, Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum’s attorney, Gul Fatima, has not requested costs, emphasizing instead the obligation of the prosecution to provide all pertinent information to the accused.
Assistant DPP Laisani Tabuakuro acknowledged the delay and attributed it to an honest oversight on the part of the State, stating that the prosecution should not be penalized for fulfilling legal obligations. She requested that Clarke’s application for costs be dismissed, noting that any awarded funds would come from public resources. A ruling from Justice Ratuvili is expected on the 28th of this month.
The ongoing legal saga involves serious charges against all three men. Dr. Sharma faces two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust associated with favoring a particular company during the procurement process. In contrast, Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office and obstruction of justice, while Bainimarama is charged with a single count of abuse of office. The case underscores critical issues of governance and accountability in Fiji’s public service, with citizens and legal observers keenly anticipating the trial’s proceedings as they hope for a resolution that upholds justice and reinforces ethical conduct in government roles.