Why has Weleilakeba turned on PM Qarase?

The question must be asked - why has former Fijian Holdings Limited Chief Executive Officer Sitiveni Weleilakeba turned on PM Qarase despite the fact that Weleilakeba was a protege of PM Qarase?

The probable answer is the fact that FICAC withdrew the three charges filed against Weleilakeba on 26 August 2011. 

During examination in chief by the FICAC prosecutor, Hong Kong QC Michael Blanchflower on Thursday 5 July 2012, in the trial of PM Qarase on 9 charges filed by FICAC, Weleilakeba told the court that he was forced to resign from the FHL as Managing Director in 2008 after FICAC charged him with two offences. Weleilakeba forgot to tell the court that in fact he had been charged with three offences. The first count, he was jointly charged with PM Qarase. 

For the details on those three charges, what Weleilakeba's lawyer asked FICAC and the fact that Weleilakeba would turn witness against Qarase - read the FICAC press statement below and judge for yourself.

FICAC withdraws charges against Sitiveni Weleilakeba

26 August 2011

The former Chief Executive Officer of Fijian Holdings Limited was discharged by the Suva High Court this morning.

After FICAC filed a Nolle Prosequi at the High court, Sitiveni Weleilakeba was discharged on one count of conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose that is to contravene the provisions of the Companies Act, one count of forgery and one count of uttering a forged document.

FICAC Prosecutor Vinsent Perera informed the court that FICAC has considered representations made by defence counsel Caesar Lateef for the review of charges laid against Weleilakeba. Perera said that based on the grounds raised by Lateef and the material submitted by Lateef and a plain statement made by Weleilakeba, FICAC had decided to discontinue proceedings against Weleilakeba.

Justice Daniel Goundar asked FICAC whether this now meant that Weleilakeba would become a State Witness.

Perera responded confirming that Weleilakeba would become a witness in the pending trial and also brought to the court’s attention that Weleilakeba was in fact a witness in the initial stages of this case.

First accused in this matter, Laisenia Qarase will now stand trial alone.

FICAC also sought the court’s leave to file and application to amend the current charges against Qarase. Perera said that FICAC would be withdrawing the first count of conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose that is to contravene the provisions of the Companies Act, and adding two counts of Discharging his duties in respect to property which he had a private interest in.

The amendment will be filed today.

Defence Counsel Qoriniasi Bale said that while he understood that it was the prosecution’s prerogative to amend charges as they pleased, he would reserve his right to comment on the proceedings thus far. He added that he was waiting on the prosecution to settle its case so that he could get on with preparing the defence case.

Justice Goundar advised Bale that he could respond to the application by way of legal submissions. He added that he was setting a hearing date to hear both parties on the issue at hand.

http://www.ficac.org.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=666:ficac-withdraws-charges-against-sitiveni-weleilakeba&catid=20:press-releases&Itemid=611


Questions for Weleilakeba
The question for Weleilakeba is what did his lawyer promise FICAC in exchange for the withdrawal of the three charges filed against Weleilakeba?


FICAC tells the world in their statement of 26/8/11 that Weleilakeba made a PLAIN STATEMENT - what is a plain statement and what are the contents of the statement you made to FICAC Weleilakeba?


Did Weleilakeba sign an immunity deal with FICAC in exchange for his testimony against PM Qarase?


Inquiring minds want to know and legal eagles, please tell us what a Plain Statement is!