Judge Fernando agrees with assessors on guilty verdict for PM Qarase

So Judge Priyantha Fernando agreed with the three assessors that the evidence presented by FICAC is beyond reasonable doubt. 


There was pin drop silence in High Court number four today at Government Buildings as Justice Fernando read out his ruling. Defence Counsel applied for bail pending sentencing, which was granted on the condition that PM Qarase report daily to the Samabula Police Station.


PM Qarase continues to hold his head up high, and walk with a strong stride, because he knows that he did nothing wrong. All the information about Class A shares was in the public domain, from the GCC where the chiefs approved the extension of shares to Tikina, Village and family companies, to the FAB - it was the responsibility of the officials and the chiefs to encourage their people to take up shares. The FHL Directors tried in vain. The FDB loan facility for shares had been there since 1974 - but they were not soft loans, you had to provide security or equity.


Can we blame Mr. Qarase for helping the people of Cicia as his chief, the PM and Tui Nayau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara instructed him to do (which he did for the last 40 years without gain), can we blame him for helping Mavana Village? And up to 30 other successful Fijians who had the equity to get an FDB loan also took up Class A shares through their family companies!! Including Tavola, Mataitoga, Bakani, etc etc. FHL did exactly what it was setup to do - increase Fijian involvement in business, and that success has flowed over to their relatives, villages, Tikina and Provinces!! 


Sitiveni Weleilakeba, the star rat witness for FICAC also purchased Class A shares. Through him FICAC was able to certify their illegally obtained FHL documents - seized by the idiot RFMF in early 2008 during the illegal raid on FHL. No search warrant was produced (because there wasn't any) and no FHL witness was produced to bring the original documents and certify the copies before the court, unlike the FDB and Westpac documents which were certified in this manner. 


This is a travesty of justice by the kangaroo court controlled by Aiyaz, the Shameems and Gates, the political chief justice who is acting President! Indeed a sad day for Fiji, but we continue to hold our heads up high, because the truth will prevail and this injustice will be corrected!


Mitigation takes place from 9.30am tomorrow morning at High Court Number Four. It is important that SDL and PM Qarase's supporters turn up in numbers - even if you cannot get in, your presence and support is important!!! 


If anything the SDL should be gearing up and not gearing down; have a media strategy from sentencing onwards...hold your heads up high instead of packing up tents & slinking off home, you have nothing to be ashamed of!! It is a time to SHOW that SDL still commands the vote and support!! 


Read the full judgment here.