8 men acquitted of charges to kill AG, Chaudhry

The 8 men in the assassination plot trial have been acquitted of the second and third counts of conspiracy to murder the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry while the first count of conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama still stands.

High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan made the ruling in the last hour in the Suva High court and stated that Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Feoko Gadekibau, Barbedoes Mills, Metuisela Mua, Sivaniolo Naulago, Eperama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Ramulo are acquitted on the 2 counts because there is no evidence of the element of the offence to show that they allegedly conspired to kill Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mahendra Chaudhry.

Judge Madigan referred to defence counsel Iqbal Khan’s cross examination of state witness Lance Coporal Peniasi Kuli who was questioned on whether Sayed-Khaiyum and Chaudhy’s names was mentioned at the first meeting in Sabeto where the alleged plot was discussed.

Judge Madigan notes that Kuli had stated that their names were not mentioned in the first meeting but only once in the second meeting which is alleged to have taken place at the Fijian Teachers Association building.

The High Court Judge ruled that the case will proceed on the first count which is the alleged plot to kill the Army Commander.

As the case proceeds, first accused Ratu Inoke Takiveikata has opted to give sworn evidence from the witness box this hour.