The Suva High Court has indicated that the admissibility of evidence issues in the Health Tender trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma are something to be dealt with during the trial when the evidence is put forward.
This means the trial will go ahead.
Dr Sharma’s counsel, Wylie Clarke had challenged the tender procurement reports and minutes.
He said the reports submitted as evidence are summaries of source documents and cannot be used by the State.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro responded that the court must dismiss the motion and allow the State to call its witnesses.
Tabuakuro said the Tender Evaluation Committee minutes have been admitted by the committee members.
She says the witnesses to be called have personal knowledge of the documents, and therefore the hearsay rule does not apply.
The trial continues.
Stay with us for updates.
