Fiji’s former Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma will take their pleas in the Suva High Court in two weeks, relating to charges linked to a 2011 medical procurement deal.
The trio appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili today for the first mention of the case. They face multiple charges alleging that procurement regulations were bypassed when awarding contracts for medical equipment in 2011.
Dr. Sharma is charged with two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust by a public servant. Bainimarama faces one count of abuse of office, while Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing the course of justice.
The State has filed the formal information, and bail has been extended for all three accused. The matter will be called again on July 7 for them to enter their pleas and address pre-trial matters.
