The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has submitted his resignation, paving the way for a new appointment in the role. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) acknowledged receiving Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, although the reasons for his decision are not yet clear.
Qiliho had been suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere following advice from the COC, due to allegations of misconduct. He continued to receive his full salary while awaiting a hearing by a tribunal.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Bainimarama faced charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Qiliho’s conviction was related to his instructions to halt an investigation into a matter involving the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Despite his conviction, the COC had been preparing to move forward with a tribunal to address other misconduct allegations unrelated to the charges for which he was convicted. Qiliho also has another abuse of office charge pending in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung confirmed that Qiliho’s resignation eliminates the need for the tribunal. “Mr. Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role,” Leung stated, noting that they were unable to proceed earlier due to Qiliho still holding the position despite his conviction.
Possible candidates to fill the Commissioner of Police role include Unaisi Vuniwaqa, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security, as well as former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.