Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is facing sentencing today in the High Court in Suva for his conviction on making unwarranted demands as a public official. This marks a significant moment as he is the first individual in Fiji to be prosecuted under this specific law.
Bainimarama was found guilty on October 2, of improperly pressuring then-acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to dismiss two police officers, Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu, during the period from May to August 2021. He exerted this pressure after receiving a complaint about the officers, who had received minor disciplinary actions for circulating a private photograph of Bainimarama’s brother.
Though Bainimarama was initially charged alongside former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, Qiliho was acquitted by the trial judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, of two counts of abuse of office. The court found that Qiliho acted against the disciplinary decisions made by Tudravu, which resulted in the termination of Ratei and Naulu’s employment instead of maintaining the originally imposed penalties.
During the sentencing hearing last week, Bainimarama’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, requested the court to consider alternatives to incarceration, proposing options like a three-year suspended sentence, community service, or a fine. In contrast, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Laisani Tabuakuro, is advocating for a custodial sentence, highlighting that Bainimarama’s actions were menacing and unauthorized.
In a separate case, last year Bainimarama was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for other related offenses, while Qiliho received a two-year sentence for abuse of office as well.
Currently, Bainimarama is out on bail, awaiting his sentencing, which is scheduled for 2:30 PM today. This case not only impacts the individuals involved but also raises significant discussions regarding accountability in Fiji’s governance, and there is a public hope for a resolution that reinforces ethical conduct within governmental institutions.
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