Qarase, Bakani and Dakuidreketi pleads not guilty

Not guilty.

That is the plea taken by former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, former General Manager of Native Land Trust Board, Kalivati Bakani and former NLTB Director and Chairman of Vanua Development Corporation, Keni Dakuidreketi after their charges were read to them in the High Court today.

Qarase is charged with two counts of Abuse of Office while Bakani and Dakuidreketi are charged with four counts of Fraudulent Conversion.

Bakani also faces one count of Abuse of Office.    

It is alleged that they conspired to transfer ownership and control of the Extinct Mataqali Funds in 2002 without proper approvals of the NLTB and the Fijian Affairs Board.

It is alleged that Bakani and Dakuidreketi fraudulently converted the $1 million government grant into operational costs on the 10th of November 2005 for the implementation and maintenance of the MYSAP system.

Justice Priyantha Fernando has set a pre-trial conference date of 9th August for the three accused.

Queens Counsels Brian Keene and Maria Cole are representing Dakuidreketi, Filimoni Vosarogo is representing Bakani and Qoroniasi Bale for Qarase.

Story by: Tokasa Rainima and William Waqavakatoga