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HeliPro Fiji choppers Aussie directors accused of past financial scams, and Bainimarama's rugby pal Dan Lobendahn and Peter Howard local directors - and accused scam artist Graeme Hedge is company secretary

30/7/2013

THE mysterious Aussie directors of HeliPro Fiji Ltd helicopters stand accused of swindling previous clients. And Dan Lobendahn, the rugby man seen trotting around with Frank Bainimarama, is one of two local directors. The other is Peter Howard. While Graeme Hedge, HeliPro Fiji's country manager, is listed as secretary, his brother Geoffrey, is one of the three Aussie directors.

On 10 August 2012 HeliPro Fiji was incorporated under the Companies Act. The Registrar of Companies was notified that the registered office of the company is situated at Lot 12, Nukubalvu Rd, Savusavu, Fiji, and the postal address is P O Box 462, Savusavu.

The Directors were listed as follows: Peter Anthony Schollary, 1 Kilara Court, Croydon, Victoria, Australia; Michael Charles Barbieri, 127 Overport Rd, Frankston; Geoffrey Lewis Hedge, 12 Pioneer St, Mittagong, NSW, Australia. The two Fiji directors were listed as Daniel Lobendahn, P O Box 422, Suva, and Peter Howard, P O Box 1401, Suva. The Company Secretary was listed as Graeme Hedge, P O Box 461, Savusavu.

On 6 August 2012, Lobendahn had declared as follows: "I, Daniel Lobendahn of 10 Fletcher Rd, Suva, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am the person named in the Articles of Association as a director of HeliPro Fiji Ltd and that all the requirements of the Companies Act, in respect of matters precedent to the registration of the said company and incidental thereto have been complied with". Howard gave his home address as 29 Garvey Rd, Suva.

The declaration was witnessed by Suva lawyer Laisa Lagilevu of Lagilevu Law. She is the former FICAC prosecutor who was charged with prosecuting executives of the Native Land Trust Board on charges of abuse of office and fraud - the former NLTB general manager Kalivati Bakani and Keni Dakuidreketi. She was also seeking before Justice Daniel Goundar to consolidate a similar case against Bakani and Dakuidreketi with that against former prime minister Laisenia Qarase.

Peter Howard is a local lawyer. He has an office in the same building as Laisa Lagilevu. Schollary held 132,000 shares, Barbieri, 132,000 and Geoffrey Hedge 136,000 in HeliPro Fiji. The share capital of the company was to be $3million divided into 3,000,000 shares of $1 each.

But those in the helicopter business say the Fiji choppers which are a favourite mode of transport for Bainimarama and his regime is estimated at $21million - $7million a chopper! What about the insurance?

The insiders say the chopper directors are taking the people of Fiji - via their connections with Bainimarama and the regime - for a very choppy and possibly financially ruinous high ride - reportedly charging the regime $5,000 an hour for their services.

In December 2012, the Emergency Helicopter Services Limited (EHSL) claimed it had partnered with HeliPro Fiji to provide assistance for search and rescue operations at sea and medical evacuation.

The two not-for-profit organizations were to work closely with the Ministry of Health, DISMAC, Fiji Navy, St John Ambulance, Fiji Red Cross, Fiji Police Force and the National Fire Authority. HeliPro Fiji's country manager Graeme Hedge said the company would provide free service to the Fiji community.

Now it has emerged that both, Lobendahn and Howard, are directors of the same two organizations - HeliPro and EHSL in Fiji. And Graeme Hedge is company secretary.

Graeme Hedge is yet to reply to our inquiries regarding the status of his obtaining money by false pretenses charge in 2010; two years before he and others set up Helipro Fiji Ltd in August 2012.

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HeliPro Fiji choppers country manager Graeme Hedge refuses to update us on status of his 2010 charge of obtaining money by false pretenses. Red helicopters favourite mode of transport for Frank, Aiyaz & Co in Fiji

25/7/2013

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$20,000 bail for Australian businessman
Fiji Sun, June 22, 2010
Written By : LUSIA BRENNANl.

An Australian businessman has been charged with obtaining money by false pretense and appeared at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

Graeme Hedge was finally released on a cash bail of $20,000 by Justice Sithambarampillai Thurairaja after the court found that there had been no strong objection to bail by the prosecution. Hedge was charged at the Magistrates Court and refused bail.

He is alleged to have falsely duped an Indian company, Dharampal Satyapal Limited, and defrauded them of F$400,000 by falsely pretending that he could supply sandalwood to India. Hedge allegedly committed the fraud through false advertisements on the internet.

While applying for bail, Hedge told the High Court he was not a flight risk, had no previous convictions, had considerable assets in Fiji and was willing to provide a suitable surety for the court. Hedge also said he had millions of dollars invested in Fiji and his wife and two children were all living in Fiji.

However, while responding to the bail application, the State produced an affidavit of Police Detective Sergeant Satish Chand who said Hedge was also being investigated in another case by police. Sgt Chand said Hedge’s claims of millions of dollars of investment in Fiji had not been supported by documentary evidence and should not be considered by the court.

State prosecutor Waline George also urged the court to consider the fact that the applicant could re-offend while on bail as he had previously used the internet as his medium.

Ms George said the interest of the public and the community should be considered as the amount of money involved was substantial. Justice Thurairaja, while ruling on the bail application, said while he was mindful of the serious nature of the charge, he was of the view that no strong opposition to bail has been submitted by the State. Hedge has been released on cash bail of $20,000 but on the condition that he produce three sureties worth $200,000 each and that his Australian passport be surrendered to court.

Justice Thurairaja also ordered that Hedge not travel out of Labasa without prior permission of the court and not leave Fiji until his case has been concluded.
Hedge has also been strongly warned by the High Court not to involve himself in any more similar businesses over the internet while the case is being dispensed with.

RICH and EASY Picking: HeliPro (Fiji) has regime as its paymaster

Hedge is also not answering questions regarding the above site

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FSC CEO Abdul Khan’s announcement that workers are to receive a 5.3% wage increase is sad reflection of his lack of judgment and understanding of FSC workers plight - FSGW Union Statement

23/7/2013

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Khaiyum slams Anthony's "old style sugar politics"

Aiyaz Khaiyum slams Felix Anthony - branding his action as blatant attempt to damage Fiji sugar industry

"The head of the Sugar Industry General Workers Union (SIGWU) is putting his own personal interests ahead of the well being of the workers he supposedly represents and more than 1200 other sugar mill workers who do not even belong to his union.

Any industrial action, especially in the middle of crushing season, is a shameless attempt to damage the sugar industry at a time when reform and hard work are showing concrete results in improving its financial health, reversing a long decline. This progress made possible the raise announced last week.

These steps forward have also meant that sugar cane farmers are now paid more and paid sooner for their crops. The union boss has left no doubt that he looks down upon his the hard working members of his union and others to whom the sugar industry is a way of life. He clearly thinks nothing of abusing his power in a vain attempt to survive at a time when his relevance in the Fijian economy has become questionable. His misleading and irresponsible advice to union members only threatens to take them down with him.

The union boss—in his desperate attempts to hang on – largely in the eyes of his meddling international labor allies –is actually taking part in a malicious effort to kill the Fijian tourism industry, threatening the jobs of thousands of Fijian workers; and by attempting to disrupt Fiji’s trade relationship with the United State, putting 15,000 Fijian jobs on the line. These are the antics of the old Fiji, and have no place in Fiji now."

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Qarase confirms he was the 3rd person present at a meeting with Winston Peters and Bainimarama in Wellington where an offer of building 3000 low cost homes a year was made to Bainimarama to encourage him to not go ahead with coup

18/7/2013

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UPDATE: Army and police officers on high alert and beating up innocent citizens for Khaiyum's house was attacked and ransacked in Tamavua

16/7/2013

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The bloody beating of three villagers took place on the street adjacent to the rear of Aiyaz Khaiyum's family home. Draw your own conclusions!

15/7/2013

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Uraia Puamau (bandaged and bloodied) claims he and two others were beaten in the middle of the road, three days ago. Fijileaks has been informed the beatings took place not far from Khaiyum's home

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"Make him lie down, if not put his brain out". Trio tell of horrifying ordeal at the hands of army officers - one of the victims said he identified one of the men to be a military officer because he was his former schoolmate

12/7/2013

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Nanise Loanakadavu, Fiji Times
Saturday, July 13, 2013

THREE men are still traumatised after they were forced out of their vehicle, beaten and held at gunpoint along Vunakece Rd in Namadi Heights on Wednesday afternoon.

Seci Kiviti, 52, Uraia Pomau, 41, and Vuli Vakaloloma, 42, were returning from a farm next to MH Superfresh in Tamavua about 3pm to pick a spade to help them build a shed for their aunt's funeral at Tikaram Rd when their vehicle was chased by a four-wheel-drive with three men inside.

The three said they were stopped, forced out of the car and made to lie on the road. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed they had received a report at the Samabula Police Station on Thursday afternoon.

She said the report they received was that the three men were held at gunpoint on Wednesday afternoon. "Investigations will commence," Ms Naisoro said. The men said they also lodged a complaint with the RFMF. Land Force Commander Lieutenant Mosese Tikoitoga said he would not comment until investigations were completed. He said the officers who received the report would not be able to release any information.

"They will conduct their own investigations, interview the people, they will write a report and will submit it to me," Lt-Col Tikoitoga said. Mr Kiviti was still in shock from the incident and demanded an explanation. "When they told us to lie down, I refused because they did not say or mention anything about any operation," Mr Kiti said. "I was so scared when one of them took out a gun and pointed it towards me while speaking in iTaukei language saying: "Dou va davora i ra, ke sega biuta i tuba nona mona' (make him lie down, if not put his brain out)".

One of the victims said he identified one of the men to be a military officer because he was his schoolmate at a prominent all-boys school. Mr Pomau said 10 minutes later, another vehicle arrived with four officers of the Strike Back team. A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said he ran outside when he heard the men shouting. "When I came outside, I saw three men lying on the road with a man standing next to them holding a knife."

Three youths, who were cleaning their compound, rushed to their house when they saw one of the three men beating up the victims was holding a pistol. Mr Pomau said they were lucky otherwise it would have been a double funeral for their family. He said the men later apologised after realising the three were on their way to a funeral when they were accompanied to the venue.

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NFP's dispute letters to Registrar of Political Parties and to chairman, Commerce Commission - re payment advertisement costs to Fiji Sun

10/7/2013

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NFP Letter to Commission

NFP Letter to Registrar (1)

NFP Letter to Registrar (2)

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Regime tells political parties to pay "Pied Piper" Fiji Sun over $40,000 for publishing asset declarations or be De-Registered by 15 July. But non-payment of bills is not a de-registration offence in Aiyaz Khaiyum's political party decree

9/7/2013

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By VICTOR LAL

The illegal regime's favoured "Pied Piper" newspaper, The Fiji Sun, was given the exclusive right to publish the political parties assets and liabilities and those of office bearers under Aiyaz Khaiyum's Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosure Decree 2013.

Now, the Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem is demanding from the political parties that they pay Fiji Sun for publishing the advertisements or else they will be de-registered. The non payment of advertising bills is not a de-registration offence under the PPRD.

Fiji SUN wants $26,000 from SODELPA, $7,000 from Fiji Labour Party and $6,000 from National Federation Party. SODELPA'S bill is the highest for it presented detailed declaration running into 26 pages.

SODELPA was sent a bill of $26,000.80, having used up some 22.5 of the pages.That means that each page was costing about $1013.

But why should these parties pay up, for they were not given the choice to publish in the Fiji Times? Nor were the parties told that they had to pay for the adverts. The parties were merely complying with the decree. But, then, we are living in a dictatorship, cheered on by the Fiji Sun which is owned by C J Patel and family. The Sri Lankan, Ajith Kodagoda - holder of various other Government appointed chairmanships - is the financial controller of C J Patel.

The Fiji Sun has a monopoly on government advertising since 2009, with the Commerce Commission looking the other way.