FICAC has today decided to withdraw the charges against former Native Land Trust Board employee Alanieta Vakatale who was co-charged with former NLTB directors Keni Dakuidreketi and Kalivati Bakani.

FICAC prosecutor Madhavan Tennakoon told Justice Daniel Gounder they have decided to withdraw Vakatale's charges after looking through her file.

Justice Gounder then terminated the proceedings against Vakatale.

Dakuidereti and Bakani's charges have also been amended.

They now face one count of conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose namely the defrauding of NLTB of its funds.

It is alleged that between March 2004 and July 2007, the two conspired to defraud the NLTB of $2.6 million and a government grant of $1 million by causing payments of these funds into an IT system called MYSAP which was set up by Pacific Connex Limited and the payment of the debt incurred by Pacific Connex at the ANZ bank.

Dakuidreketi and Bakani also face two counts of fraudulent conversion and Bakani faces a further count of abuse of office.

The case has been adjourned to the 30th of this month.


Story by:
Vijay Narayan & Tokasa Rainima