Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are scheduled to reappear before the Suva Magistrate’s Court on March 10 for a pretrial conference concerning charges of abuse of office. During their last appearance, both defendants faced multiple allegations, with Bainimarama charged with one count of making unwarranted demands as a public official, while Qiliho faces two counts of abuse of office.

Bainimarama’s charges stem from incidents allegedly occurring between May 21 and August 18, 2021. He is accused of pressuring former Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu into dismissing two officers—Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu—under threat of resignation himself if Tudravu did not comply.

Qiliho, on the other hand, is alleged to have acted inappropriately during the same time frame by overturning Tudravu’s disciplinary measures against the two officers. While Tudravu had initially imposed fines corresponding to their misconduct, Qiliho is alleged to have improperly terminated their employment altogether.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, and a trial date has been set from June 2 to July 11, 2025. The proceedings are expected to involve around 30 witnesses, making it a significant case within Fijian politics. The upcoming pretrial conference on March 10 will aim to clarify the further progress of the case.

This situation highlights critical ongoing debates around accountability in public service roles, and many are hopeful for a fair resolution that upholds the rule of law in Fiji. As the legal process unfolds, the emphasis will remain on ensuring transparency and justice within the governance system.