Former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama told the Suva High Court that he did not demand the resignation of then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu in 2021, as his trial on unwarranted demands and abuse of office moves forward.
Bainimarama testified as a defense witness, saying his late brother Jonacani Bainimarama had raised concerns about a photo circulating in a police Viber group. He added that he later spoke with Tudravu and was satisfied when Tudravu assured him the matter would be looked into. The former prime minister described the allegations as untrue, stressing that he did not know the identities or ranks of the officers involved and that he never discussed serious issues through Viber messages.
The charges remain that Bainimarama, while serving as prime minister, made an unwarranted demand on Tudravu to dismiss two police officers or to resign. Sitiveni Qiliho, the former Police Commissioner, faces two counts of abuse of office for allegedly overruling Tudravu’s disciplinary decisions and unlawfully terminating the officers in 2021. The court continues its proceedings with the trial timeline set for May through August 2021 in focus.
Bainimarama’s testimony comes as the case has featured a range of documentary and testimonial material. Earlier proceedings have shown Tudravu testifying that he took the demands “in stride” and did not rebel or resign, and that he did not keep formal records of messages from Bainimarama. The state has signaled it will call additional witnesses to examine technical aspects of the Viber communications and related records.
In related developments presented during the proceedings, prosecutors have discussed broader background elements connected to the Bainimarama circle, including the involvement of individuals tied to the case and how informant material is handled. One line of testimony in related proceedings has noted that a family member of Bainimarama reportedly acted as a drug informant in a separate 2021 marijuana transport case, with that informant’s statement recorded under Tudravu’s direction. While these points are part of broader courtroom arguments and separate matters, they contribute to the complex backdrop against which the current charges are being evaluated.
Observers frame the case as a test of governance ethics, police independence, and due process within Fiji’s public service. A transparent, evidence-based resolution could bolster public trust in state institutions and the integrity of policing practices. Tudravu remains a central figure as the prosecution plans further examination of the chain of command, disciplinary decisions, and the handling of Viber communications.
Analysts note that the case highlights the tension between political oversight and professional police independence, a dynamic with wide implications for civil-service protections and due process. If prosecutors prove improper political influence, reforms in oversight and disciplinary procedures could follow. Conversely, a finding that actions were within legal bounds would underscore the limits of executive intervention in internal disciplinary matters.
Short take: The court continues to hear testimony and review documentary material related to the May–August 2021 period, focusing on whether Bainimarama’s reported pressure to dismiss or resign crossed legal lines, and whether Qiliho’s alleged overrides of Tudravu’s disciplinary decisions amounted to abuse of office.
Outlook and hopeful perspective: A thorough, fair judicial process that clearly establishes facts and adheres to due process can strengthen accountability, reinforce institutional integrity, and restore or bolster public confidence in Fiji’s governance and policing framework. The ongoing proceedings will be watched for how they address the balance between leadership and lawful, rights-respecting disciplinary procedures.
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