The Fiji Court of Appeal is set to hear the bail application of former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, who is currently serving a one-year sentence. Qiliho made an appearance before Justice Chandana Prematilaka at the Veiuto Court Complex, alongside former Prime Minister Bainimarama, who was released early last month.
Both Qiliho and Bainimarama were convicted by the High Court in Suva on March 14 of this year. During the court proceedings, their lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, informed the court that they were withdrawing a previously filed motion regarding their conviction and sentencing. This motion, which was submitted on April 23 of last year, sought to stay the sentencing while the matter was appealed.
Sharma expressed optimism that Qiliho could also be granted an early release, similar to Bainimarama. Justice Prematilaka has granted the applicants 21 days to submit their arguments for bail pending appeal. Following their submissions, the State will have until January 21 to respond. Sharma will then have until January 28 to reply to the State’s response before the next court date, scheduled for January 30.
This case highlights the ongoing legal processes in the Fijian judicial system and serves as a reminder of the complexity surrounding appeals and sentencing. The outcomes of such appeals can significantly impact the involved parties, and many will be watching closely to see how this unfolds.
In the face of legal challenges, there remains hope for Qiliho’s potential release, reflecting the dynamic nature of the justice system where new developments can lead to unexpected outcomes.
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