Interim ministers were suspects: Ali
Wednesday October 04, 2006

Some cabinet ministers in the 2001 interim government were seen as suspects during the investigations of the $29 million agriculture scam the High Court in Suva heard today.

Lead investigator Inspector Nasir Ali admitted suspecting the former Minister for Women Ro Teimumu Kepa, Tourism Minister Koniasi Yabaki, Works Minister Joketani Cokanasiga and Assistant Agriculture Minister Marieta Rigamoto based on gathered evidence.

He said their role in the scam was also based on allegations made by former agriculture permanent secretary Peniasi Kunatuba.

Ali told Justice Nazhat Shameem that he could only interview Rigamoto because he was removed from the case before he could interview the other suspected ministers.

He yesterday alleged that his removal from the investigations was part of a conspiracy instigated by some senior police officers to protect incriminated government officials and influential businesspersons.

Ali before concluding his role as state witness today said Kunatuba had on some occasions in his caution interview said the scam was seemingly to assist the interim government to secure votes in the 2001 elections.

In letters dated mid 2001 that was presented in court yesterday, interim tourism minister Yabaki had strongly denied the claim he had bought votes from the people of Kadavu by assisting them with the scheme.

A similar letter from Rigamoto was also tendered in court.

The court had also heard that Kepa had specially requested $25,000 worth of farming implements for the village of Sawau in Beqa in a letter dated 23 March 2001.

The trial continues today with state witness Inspector Raj Kumar of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Serious Fraud Unit taking the stand.

Kumar had taken over Ali's role following his suspension from the case.