DPP to liaise with Police on new evidence

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has today confirmed that it will now liaise with the Police after certain comments made by the Presiding Judge on new evidence in the Dhansukh Lal Bhika and Suliasi Sorovakatini trial.

Following questions raised by Fijivillage, the DPP’s office said after the decision and sentence in the trial, a review was taken within the DPP’s Office in respect of matters pertaining to the trial and matters that have arisen out of the trial.

It said as a result the DPP’s office has taken serious note of the observations made by the court and is now in the process of liaising with the Fiji Police Force.

The office said it wants to ensure that the courts concerns are addressed.

The DPP’s office said the Police Force is the relevant authority for investigations and the office is confident that the Commissioner of Police and his officers will exercise the same due diligence, efficiency and professionalism shown in the concluded trial, in their future investigation as well.

Meanwhile Police have said that there are no further investigations in relation to the 2000/2001 Agriculture Ministry scam at this stage.

Spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said their last investigation file was in relation to Bhika and Sorovakatini.

Sokomuri said Police will only investigate other people if new evidence is forwarded to them.

The Farming Assistance Scheme amounted to more than $16 million and several allegations continue to be made that it was a vote buying scam and a couple of individuals benefitted from the scheme in 2001.

Last week High Court Judge Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja said Sorovakatini’s defence counsel submitted in the trial that the 2001 programme was a vote buying scam by the political authorities of the day.

Justice Thurairaja said Sorovakatini alleged in court that the then Minister, Apisai Tora and Assistant Minister, Marieta Rigamoto unduly benefitted out of the programme.

He said that since there is evidence before the court, the DPP and other relevant authorities may take the matter further.


Story by: Vijay Narayan