The bail application hearing for former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been withdrawn, as announced by his lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, during a session with Justice Chandana Prematilaka in the Fiji Court of Appeal. The hearing was scheduled for today, but the defense opted to shift their focus to the substantive matters of the case.
Both Qiliho and former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who was also present, faced conviction from the High Court in March 2023—Bainimarama on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice related to the University of the South Pacific, and Qiliho for abuse of office. Bainimarama had been sentenced to one year imprisonment but was released after serving just six months. Meanwhile, Qiliho is currently serving a two-year sentence.
The withdrawal of the bail application allows the legal team to concentrate on appealing the convictions. The court has provided a timeline where both the defense and the DPP are to submit their documentation, with the State required to respond to Qiliho’s appeal by January 21. A subsequent hearing is scheduled for January 30, which is anticipated to be pivotal in determining the next steps for both men.
This situation reflects significant ongoing legal developments in Fiji and may have implications for public trust in the judicial system. The court’s proceedings also allow space for potential judicial reform, furthering discussions on justice and accountability in governance. There is an underlying hope as proceedings continue that both individuals might benefit from the system’s capacity for reevaluation, potentially leading to their release or reduced sentences in the future.
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