Defence labels key witness “evasive” in Health Tender Trial

The defence lawyer for former Health Minister, Doctor Neil Sharma, Wylie Clarke has told former Procurement Officer at the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services, Solomoni Suguta that he is an evasive witness.

Clarke made the comment during the health tender trial of former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Dr Sharma.

This follows Suguta’s earlier statement that he could not recall being part of an Evaluation Committee that met on the 24th and 25th of March in 2011 to analyse quotations from all bidders.

However, after being shown his police statement, Suguta said he remembered the committee, stating that he had been asked by his Head of Department to be part of it.

Clarke questioned how Suguta could forget being part of the committee.

When Clarke asked whether the committee members had signed a confidentiality form like the Tender Evaluation Committee, Suguta said they had not.

Suguta informed the court that the committee was not requested by the Fiji Procurement Office and agreed that it was outside standard procedures.

He says the Evaluation Committee recommended Roche Diagnostics and Medica Pacifica as suppliers for the laboratory equipment.

When Clarke went through the quotations, Suguta agreed that Hospineer was the cheaper supplier in terms of pricing.

However, when the defence suggested that the recommendation overwhelmingly favoured Roche on the big ticket items, Suguta disagreed.

Clarke also questioned whether the report was submitted to the Fiji Procurement Office.

Suguta replied no, as it had not been requested by them.

He says the report was instead given to Dr Sharma.

During re-examination, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro asked on what grounds Hospineer was disqualified.

Suguta says that it was on the basis that no cost had been provided.

The trial will resume on the 15th of this month as both the defence and the State have other cases to attend to.

Dr Sharma is charged with two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust by a person employed in the public service.

Bainimarama is charged with one count of abuse of office.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing the course of justice.