Former NLTB bosses in court

Three former Native Lands Trust Board executives have been charged and appeared in court this morning.

Former board member, Keni Dakuidreketi, former General Manager Kalivati Bakani and former official, Alanieta Vakatale appeared in the Suva Magistrates court charged with various counts of allegedly trying to defraud the NLTB.

The three are charged by FICAC for allegedly conspiring with others to defraud the NLTB of $3.7 million and a government grant of one million dollars by causing payments of funds to support an information technology company, Pacific Connex for installing the IT software, MySap.

The three are also charged with fraudulent conversion and abuse of office on the same allegations.

They appeared before Magistrate Eperama Rokoika, however, the Magistrate stated that he knew the three accused persons and informed FICAC lawyer Aca Rayawa that the case be transferred to the High Court.

No plea was taken and the three have been released on $1000 cash bail each and ordered to surrender all their travel documents.

Magistrate Rokoika also informed the accused that if they intend to travel abroad, they will have to seek the release of their travel documents through the courts.

Dakuidreketi, Bakani and Vakatale have been ordered to report to their nearest police station twice a week.

The case is adjourned to November 11th and will be heard in the Suva High Court.