The Fiji Court of Appeal is set to hear the bail application for former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, who is currently serving a one-year sentence. Qiliho appeared before Justice Chandana Prematilaka at the Veiuto Court Complex, where he was joined by former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who was released early last month.
Both Qiliho and Bainimarama were convicted by the High Court in Suva on March 14. During the court hearing, Qiliho’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, announced the withdrawal of their previous motion regarding conviction and sentencing, which had been filed on April 23 of last year. The focus now is on their application for a stay of the sentencing.
Sharma expressed optimism for Qiliho’s situation, given Bainimarama’s early release, suggesting that Qiliho might also receive similar consideration. Justice Prematilaka has allowed 21 days for the applicants to present their submissions regarding bail pending the appeal. The State has until January 21 to respond, after which Sharma has until January 28 to reply to the State’s submissions. A subsequent court mention has been scheduled for January 30.
This development underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by prominent figures in Fiji’s political landscape. The court’s decision could bring important implications not just for Qiliho, but also for how the justice system addresses cases involving former officials.
In a hopeful outlook, this process allows the judiciary to reassess the legal standings of those convicted, indicating an adherence to due process and the possibility for future reforms in the law.
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