Former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma’s legal counsel, Wylie Clarke, is seeking $20,000 in costs from the State following delays attributed to late disclosures ahead of a scheduled trial. Dr. Sharma is facing serious charges alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, all of whom are entangled in allegations regarding procurement regulations.
Originally set to start today with Justice Usaia Ratuvili presiding, the trial has been postponed after the State disclosed three additional cartons of documents to the defense just before proceedings were due to begin. Clarke described the situation as embarrassing and underscored the necessity of timely disclosures for a fair trial. In a notable contrast, Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum’s attorney, Gul Fatima, refrained from requesting costs, stressing instead that it is the prosecution’s duty to supply all relevant information to the defendants.
Acknowledging the delay, Assistant DPP Laisani Tabuakuro referred to it as an honest oversight, asserting that the prosecution should not suffer penalties for meeting their legal obligations. She has requested the dismissal of Clarke’s application for costs, pointing out that any awarded funds would be drawn from public resources. A decision on this matter from Justice Ratuvili is anticipated on the 28th of this month.
The legal proceedings involve grave accusations against all three men, with Dr. Sharma facing two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust for allegedly favoring a specific company during the procurement process. Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum is implicated in abuse of office and obstruction of justice, while Bainimarama faces a charge of abuse of office. The case raises significant questions about governance and accountability in Fiji’s public service, with citizens and observers eagerly awaiting the trial’s developments. There is a collective hope for a resolution that not only addresses the alleged misconduct but also reinforces ethical standards in public office.