Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are set to reappear in Suva Magistrate’s Court on March 10 for a pretrial conference regarding charges of abuse of office. Their previous court appearance highlighted serious allegations against both figures during their tenure in public service.

Bainimarama is facing one charge of making unwarranted demands as a public official. It is alleged that between May 21 and August 18, 2021, he pressured former Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu to either terminate the employment of two police officers—Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu—or face his own resignation.

Qiliho has been charged with two counts of abuse of office. Allegedly, between August 5 and 18, 2021, he countermanded Tudravu’s disciplinary decisions against Ratei and Naulu. Tudravu’s original penalties included fines equivalent to working days. However, Qiliho is accused of moving to terminate their employment instead of following through with these lesser penalties.

Both defendants, who have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, will be involved in a trial scheduled for June 2 to July 11, 2025. Approximately 30 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial, marking a significant moment in Fiji’s judicial history. The legal proceedings not only aim to ensure accountability but also emphasize the importance of ethical governance in the public sector.

As the pretrial conference approaches, there is widespread hope for a fair process that upholds the rule of law and reinforces public trust in government institutions. The case represents a crucial opportunity to discuss issues surrounding transparency and ethics within public office in Fiji.