Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are scheduled to return to the Suva Magistrate’s Court on March 10 for their pretrial conference concerning charges of abuse of office. Their latest court appearance, overseen by Magistrate Jeremaia Savou, involved serious allegations against both figures during their respective tenures in office.

Bainimarama faces a charge of making unwarranted demands as a public official, stemming from incidents between May 21 and August 18, 2021. He is accused of pressuring 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 himself if he did not comply.

Qiliho is charged with two counts of abuse of office. Allegations indicate that during the same timeframe, he intervened in Tudravu’s disciplinary actions against Ratei and Naulu, which had initially involved minor penalties such as fines. Instead of adhering to these decisions, Qiliho allegedly took the unjust step of terminating their employment.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to their charges, and a trial has been scheduled for June 2 to July 11, 2025, with around 30 witnesses expected to provide testimony. This case has attracted considerable public interest, serving to highlight pressing issues surrounding accountability within Fiji’s public service sector.

As the pretrial conference approaches, there is a collective hope for a fair and transparent legal process that underscores the importance of ethical governance and accountability. A favorable outcome could reinforce public trust in government institutions and contribute positively to the ongoing discussions about civil service ethics and responsibilities in Fiji. The current legal challenges faced by Bainimarama and Qiliho represent a significant moment for the rule of law, emphasizing the need for integrity within public office.