Fiji’s former Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma have pleaded not guilty to charges related to a 2011 medical procurement deal.
The trio entered not-guilty pleas when they appeared before a high court in Suva this morning.
A trial date has now been set for the second, third and fourth weeks of November.
The charges stem from allegations that government procurement rules were bypassed when contracts were awarded for the supply of medical equipment in 2011.
Dr Sharma is facing four charges — two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust by a public servant. Bainimarama is charged with one count of abuse of office. Sayed-Khaiyum also faces a charge of abuse of office, along with an additional count of obstructing the course of justice.
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