Inspector Penieli Ratei provided testimony in court today, claiming that his dismissal from the Fiji Police Force in 2021 was unjust. He was terminated by then-Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho after posting a photo of Jonacani Bainimarama in a Viber group, which Ratei asserts was a common practice among officers for operational updates and profiling individuals of interest since 2017.
Ratei is the ninth witness in the trial involving former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, presided over by Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe at the Suva High Court. Bainimarama is charged with making unwarranted demands as a public official, while Qiliho faces two counts of abuse of office.
The prosecution alleges that between May 21 and August 18, 2021, Bainimarama threatened then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, compelling him to terminate the employment of Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu. Failure to comply was reportedly met with threats against Tudravu’s employment. Qiliho is accused of unlawfully ordering the termination of Ratei and Naulu without proper procedures, infringing on their rights.
Legal representations for both Bainimarama and Qiliho have been made by lawyers Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima, respectively, while the State is represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro.
This case continues to draw considerable attention and raises questions of accountability and governance ethics within Fiji. As the proceedings unfold, there remains a collective hope for a transparent resolution that upholds the rights of the involved parties while reinforcing public trust in government institutions. The trial period, scheduled from June 2 to July 11, 2025, serves as a significant opportunity to address broader issues surrounding the integrity of public office.
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