Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is expected to be questioned again by FICAC this hour in relation to a new case relating to allegations of abuse of office in 2003.
Qarase was questioned for two hours yesterday before the interview was suspended and FICAC confirmed he will be questioned again throughout today.
Speaking to Fijivillage, Qarase said he has agreed to cooperate with FICAC and will engage his lawyers by Monday.
Qarase confirmed the allegations against him relate to when he was Prime Minister in 2003 where a set of regulations was prepared for NLTB which was endorsed by cabinet. He said it is alleged that he somehow abused the powers vested in the minister responsible by making those regulations.
However, it has been confirmed FICAC is now investigating the alleged inappropriate usage of the extinct mataqali funds by NLTB and some ousted government ministers for the purpose of setting up a commercial company.
Fijivillage has established that the extinct mataqali funds totaled about $7million and it was supposed to benefit the landowners. However, the approval was allegedly given to use the extinct mataqali funds to form commercial companies and some of the key NLTB board members also took up positions in the companies formed.
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Qarase to be Questioned on New Allegations
