The alleged plot to remove the Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama led government in 2010 has been revealed by senior military officer, Lt Colonel Manasa Tagicakibau in former Land Force Commander, Pita Driti’s trial.
Driti is charged with uttering seditious comments and inciting to mutiny.
While appearing as the first prosecution witness, Tagicakibau who is the Director for National Disaster Management revealed that Driti had spoken to him about plans to dissolve the government and to remove the President if he did not agree with the changes.
Tagicakibau said that in October 2010 he was summoned by Driti to meet with him.
Tagicakibau said that Driti voiced his concern about the government and stated that he has lost confidence in the Army Commander.
He said that Driti claimed that the Commander has lost the anointment from God based on advice from prayer groups.
Tagicakibau told the court that the plan to remove the government would take place when the Prime Minister takes his trip to Sudan to visit the troops there in late October 2010.
According to him, Driti had claimed that he and Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz would go to the President and seek the dissolution of the current administration.
Pita Driti had allegedly told him that after the dissolution, an interim government made up of SDL was supposed to be set up that would be tasked to take the country to elections.
According to Tagicakibau, the Pita Driti led alleged plan was to send the Bainimarama family to another country and inform Sudanese government that the Prime Minister is in exile as he would have lost his position in government and the RFMF.
Tagicakibau revealed to senior prosecution counsel from Hong Kong, Audrey Campbell-Moffat in court yesterday that Driti had also said that the Great Council of Chiefs and the Methodist Church would be called into the barracks and the military would apologize to them after the planned dissolution.
He also said that there was a plan to include the two bodies in the interim administration.
It was revealed in court that Driti also met with senior officer, Amani Suliano however, he did not agree with the plan as he said that he is loyal to the Army Commander.
Tagicakibau also revealed details in relation to another meeting with Pita Driti in September 2010 where he said the economy of the country is not doing well and Driti had issues with the advice being given to the Commander particularly by the Attorney General.
Tagicakibau said that he suggested to Driti to raise it to the Commander but Driti said that the Prime Minister would not listen to him and Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
In another meeting, Driti allegedly summoned Tagicakibau again and said that the Attorney General needed to be killed by Christmas 2010.
Tagicakibau was told by Driti that Tagicakibau should find a way to do this.
Tagicakibau said that he was being called as he was in charge of the surveillance team and Tagicakibau had to get the team to monitor the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s whereabouts.
Tagicakibau said that later in September 2010, other teams from the 3 FIR Unit, the Police Force and civilians were also monitoring the Attorney General.
At one stage, Tagicakibau told Pita Driti that he did not want to be part of the plan.
However, Driti got angry with him and said that there was no room for weak officers.
Tagicakibau said that Driti also told him that Ratu Tevita had called him that morning saying that the execution plan was ready.
During this time Tagicakibau was the Commanding Officer of the RFMF’s Logistics Support Unit while the accused Pita Driti was the Land Force Commander and fugitive Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara was the Chief of Staff Land Force Command and Commanding Officer of 3FIR.
Tagicakibau also said that he got suspicious of Ratu Tevita Mara as he felt there were some issues that he may not have been aware of as Mara was in charge of 3 units.
Tagicakibau said that he then got members in his unit to conduct an investigation.
He said that he was concerned as he was informed that Mara was voicing his concerns about the way the government was being run.
He also said that there was movement of weapons and ammunition out of the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
These weapons were placed at the Grand Pacific Hotel site.
Tagicakibau said that usually weapons are placed at GPH for the President’s security and the number of weapons placed there depended on the number of troops which was usually 10 however the number of weapons and ammunition taken out of the barracks was more than the number of troops.
No documents were signed for the release of these weapons in 2010.
Tagicakibau said that he and senior officers Amani Suliano and Jone Kalouniwai went and saw Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama at his residence before he was scheduled to depart for Sudan.
In this meeting, the three informed Commodore Bainimarama about the plot discussed by Pita Driti and the comments made by Ratu Tevita Mara.
Commodore Bainimarama then sent Driti and Mara on leave.
Tagicakibau said Driti then text him saying that and I quote “thank you Manasa. What you wanted has been granted. Are you satisfied now” end quote.
Tagicakibau said in court that when Driti met him while clearing his items from QEB that the alleged plot was brought by brought up by Brigadier-General Aziz.
The trial continues today.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Sofaia Koroitanoa
