*Fijileaks: In 1982, our Founding Editor-in-Chief covered for the old Fiji Sun (later shut down by Rabuka after his two coups) Himmat Lodhia's criminal trial in the Suva Magistrates Court where the owner of Lords Jewellers in Suva was accused of buying stolen jewellery from Indo-Fijian burglars and re-selling them to Indo-Fijians, mostly female customers. The prosecution had alleged that Lodhia provided the identities of the customers to the burglars for them to target his customers. Many of the stolen jewellery were on sale in his shop. He claimed he was unaware that they were stolen from poor Indo-Fijian homes.
Lodhia had (and still has) very close links with Rabuka's co-conspirator coupist and turncoat FFP 'big chief' Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Last week, Rabuka became Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
*Kubuabola and Lodhia's connection go back to 1987, when Lodhia had become the Minister of State for Indian Affairs post-Rabuka coups; in August 1992 he was forced to resign after the Fiji police launched an investigation into his company for the disappearance from the customs bond of $67,000 of imported jewellery.
"I like to acknowledge a special friend who is here this afternoon. Some of you know hi, some of you know of him. We have been friends since he was involved , and I supervising him him the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. I was rewarded when he was awarded the gold medal...HIMMAT LODHIA.My brother and friend. Him and I go back many years when people were turning away from me. Himmat came along and befriended me. I took him to Washington to attend the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. We came back and the Brothers in America bought him a Bible. That Bible sits in his office in Cumming St today. (Loud applause).
He is here today with his brother Harish. WELCOME (Loud Applause)
Sitiveni Rabuka at the Vodafone Area, Suva