FICAC submission on ‘no case to answer’
13:03 Wed Jul 18, 2012
Taken from/By:
Report by: Maca Lutunauga
The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption says there is relevant and admissible evidence on each element of the charges against Laisenia Qarase.
Responding to the no case to answer application by Qarase’s lawyer – FICAC says Qarase was employed in the public service.
The submission argued that Qarase was the financial advisor of the Fijian Affairs Board and held that position until he resigned as Financial Advisor to FAB in 1999.
According to the submission this was confirmed by FICAC witness Ratu Meli Bainimarama who said that Qarase gave advice to the then Fijian Affairs Board and the Great Council of Chiefs on financial matters – adding he also attended meetings of FAB and GCC in his role as financial advisor.
The response also stated that the interpretation of an officer and public officer is a person in the permanent or temporary employment of the government including a person appointed under the Fijian Affairs Act.
FICAC argued that Qarase failed to make any disclosure of his private interest in the three companies to FHL, FAB and GCC.
As of June 1992 there was no record with FAB or GCC of any declaration made by Qarase and all other itaukei’s.
The trial continues tomorrow.
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