Former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho pleaded not guilty on charges of inciting mutiny when they appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed. Magistrate Yogesh Prasad told the court the matter could be set down for trial towards the end of the year and ordered the case to be recalled on May 6 for a pre‑trial conference to firm up timetables.
The charges, laid by the ODPP, allege Mr Bainimarama sent Viber messages in Suva to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai between January 1 and July 31, 2023, seeking to encourage the brigadier to take over command or otherwise usurp the authority of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander, Ro Jone Kalouniwai. Prosecutors also allege that between July 1 and July 31, 2023, Mr Bainimarama and Mr Qiliho spoke with several senior RFMF officers — identified in court documents as Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, Colonel Aseri Rokoura and Colonel Viliame Draunibaka among others — in attempts to incite them to unlawfully arrest and assume the authority of the RFMF Commander.
Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Luisa Latu told the magistrate the State anticipates calling 24 witnesses and would require about two weeks to present its case. Magistrate Prasad set the next court date for a pre‑trial conference on May 6, when lawyers for both sides are expected to discuss evidence disclosure, witness lists and the likely trial timetable. Both accused entered formal not guilty pleas during the brief hearing.
The allegations centre on interactions and messages in the first seven months of 2023 and, if proven, would relate directly to the chain of command and stability of the RFMF. The ministry and military leadership have not released an immediate public response to the court hearing. The filing of charges by the ODPP marks a significant development in a case that involves a former head of government and a former senior police official.
Lawyers for Mr Bainimarama and Mr Qiliho did not make detailed submissions in open court; defence representations are expected at the upcoming pre‑trial conference. If Magistrate Prasad's suggestion holds and a trial is scheduled towards the end of the year, court preparations, disclosure and witness availability will determine the exact start date.
The proceeding will be monitored closely given the high‑profile nature of the defendants and the seriousness of the allegations; the State’s intention to call two dozen witnesses indicates a broad evidentiary case. The matter will return to court on May 6 for parties to set out how the trial should be managed.
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