The second day of former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase's Fijian Holdings trial has kicked off with FICAC Senior Counsel, Michael Blanchflower questioning the former FHL Secretary, Sitiveni Weleilakeba about a number of documents.
In the last hour Blanchflower has presented an additional document which was a letter written by Qarase on November 20th, 1991 on behalf of Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited to Weleilakeba who was the FHL Secretary.
In the letter Qarase said he was applying on behalf of Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited for 180,000 ordinary FHL shares and a cheque of $180,000 was enclosed with the letter.
Weleilakeba confirmed receiving the letter and said that it was an application for FHL shares and included the payment for the shares.
The letter was signed by Qarase.
He was a board director of FHL at the time.
Qarase is charged with 6 counts of abuse of office and three counts of discharge of duty with respect to property in which he has a private interest.
It is alleged that Qarase applied, and then facilitated and allowed the purchase of Class A FHL shares for certain companies when he was Director of FHL, Financial Advisor of the Fijian Affairs Board and Advisor to the Great Council of Chiefs.
The case relates to the allotment and issuance of the FHL shares to Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited, Mavana Investments Limited and Q-Ten Investments Limited.
Stay with us for coverage of Qarase's trial.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
