Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in court yesterday to contest their sentences. They were heard in the Court of Appeal in Veiuto, where they requested a stay order on their sentences.
Both men were represented by Suva lawyer Gul Fatima, while the state was represented by acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva. Bainimarama was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Qiliho faced charges for abuse of office, stemming from allegations of interference in police investigations concerning the financial management of the University of the South Pacific.
Bainimarama is currently serving a one-year sentence, while Qiliho is serving two years. The sentences were handed down by acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo in April.
Justice Chandana Prematilaka instructed Ms. Fatima to submit her filings by November 5, with the case scheduled to be revisited on December 3.