Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are set to appear in the Suva Magistrate’s Court on March 10 for their pretrial conference regarding charges of abuse of office. Their earlier court appearance focused on the serious allegations surrounding their conduct during their time in office.
Bainimarama is facing one count of making unwarranted demands as a public official. It is alleged that between May 21 and August 18, 2021, he pressured former Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu to either terminate the employment of two police officers, Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu, or resign from his position.
In a related case, Qiliho is charged with two counts of abuse of office. During his tenure as Police Commissioner, he is accused of overriding disciplinary decisions made by Tudravu against Ratei and Naulu, which included minor penalties, and instead terminating their employment altogether.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Their trial is scheduled from June 2 to July 11, 2025, where approximately 30 witnesses are expected to testify, marking a significant moment in Fiji’s judicial proceedings. The case has raised crucial discussions about accountability and the rule of law within public office positions in the country.
The legal proceedings could serve as an opportunity to reinforce commitments to transparency and ethical governance in public service. As the trial approaches, many hope for a fair outcome that upholds the rights of all parties involved, further contributing to discussions on civil service ethics and public accountability in Fiji.
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