Qarase pleads not guilty

Former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase has pleaded not guilty to all the charges he is facing in relation to the Fijian Holdings Limited case.

Qarase is charged with six 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 in or about March to May 1992 being employed as a Director of Fijian Holdings Limited, financial advisor of the Fijian Affairs Board and advisor to the Great Council of Chiefs, and in abuse of the authority of his office, did an arbitrary act, in that he applied in the name of the Qarase family company, Q-Ten investments Limited for the issuance and allotment of Class A shares in FHL.

It is alleged that he also facilitated the approval of the issuance of the Class A shares to Q-Ten Investments.

Qarase allegedly did the same for Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited and Mavana Investments Limited.

According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that a Qarase family company, Q-Ten Investments Limited acquired 200 thousand Class A FHL shares, Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited acquired 400 thousand Class A shares and Mavana Investments acquired 200 thousand Class A shares.

Meanwhile Qarase's lawyer Qoriniasi Bale informed presiding judge, Justice Daniel Goundar that he wants more time to engage a Queens Counsel who they can afford.

He raised two issues, one that they want to engage a Queens Counsel and secondly the availability of the Queens Counsel.

 
FICAC lawyer, Vinsent Perera informed the court that their Queens Counsel is booked for this Saturday however they will have to change the flight schedule because Qoriniasi Bale is not ready to have the trial on the 31st of this month.

Justice Goundar asked the two counsels to come back on 4th of next month for the parties to come up with the availability of the QCs.

The trial date has been set for 22nd November.


Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima