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Appeals Court to hear bail pending matter

Bail Battle: Former Police Chief’s Appeal to Court of Appeal Set for March

The Court of Appeal will soon review the bail application for Sitiveni Qiliho, the former Commissioner of Police, as he seeks to appeal his conviction. The hearing took place yesterday before Justice Chandana Prematilaka, focusing on the legal arguments put forth by both Qiliho and a former Prime Minister, who are contesting the High Court’s decisions.

Lawyer Davenesh Sharma has raised concerns regarding the conduct of Chief Justice Salesi Temo, asserting that there were errors in law regarding the sentencing. Sharma argued that the court had jurisdiction to avoid recording a conviction and that Temo should have recused himself due to alleged bias against Magistrate Seini Puamau.

Notably, Qiliho is currently serving a two-year sentence for abuse of office, while the former Prime Minister was released early from prison last November. The bail application specifically pertains to Qiliho, with a ruling on this matter expected on March 7.

This case highlights ongoing legal challenges in Fiji’s governance and justice system. As both parties attempt to navigate their appeals, the outcome could have significant implications not just for them personally but also for public trust in the judicial process. The adjournment until March provides both sides the opportunity to present their arguments thoroughly in the pursuit of fairness and justice.


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