Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are set to face trial in the High Court in Suva, which was officially transferred from the Magistrate’s Court following a recent ruling by Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne. The case revolves around serious allegations of misconduct pertaining to the 2021 dismissal of two police officers.
Bainimarama has been charged with making unwarranted demands, specifically accused of coercing then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to terminate the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu, with threats of resigning if his instructions were not followed. This incident reportedly occurred between May 21 and August 18, 2021. Meanwhile, Qiliho faces two counts of abuse of office for allegedly overruling Tudravu’s initial disciplinary decisions regarding the same officers.
The defence has argued that the matters could be adequately addressed in the lower court, emphasizing the competency of the Magistrate’s Court in dealing with such issues. However, the State contended that the constitutional implications of the case require the interpretation of key terms by the High Court, as outlined in Section 163 of the Constitution. Magistrate Somaratne agreed, stating that resolving these constitutional questions in the High Court would better serve the public interest and lead to a faster resolution without unnecessary delays.
Both Bainimarama and Qiliho have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. The trial is set to commence on June 2 and is expected to last until July 11, 2025, with around 30 witnesses anticipated to testify.
Public interest in the case remains high, as it raises significant discussions about accountability and ethical governance in Fiji. Observers are hopeful that these proceedings will reinforce the principles of transparency and lead to a greater commitment to ethical conduct within public service. This case represents an important opportunity for the judicial system to assert authority over allegations of misconduct by public officials, potentially paving the way for higher standards in governance within the nation.
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