26 Jun 2013

No case to answer in case against former Fiji PM Qarase

1:57 pm on 26 June 2013

The High Court in Suva has ruled that there is no case to answer in a case involving Fiji's ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase.

He faced two counts of abuse of office after being accused of fraudulently applying the Extinct Mataqali Funds, worth 1.5 million US dollars to Vanua Development Corporation and then Pacific Connex Limited between 2003 and 2005.

Mr Qarase told FBC News that he was happy and thankful for his discharge.

Meanwhile, his co-accused Keni Dakuidreketi and Kalivati Bakani, will re-appear in court next month to answer fraud charges.

The two men told the court they need time to get financial records and locate missing documents relevant to the case.

The Judge urged lawyers to sort their issues and indicate their position on the next court date, as the case has been dragging on for years.