Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho are set to face trial in their abuse of office case in June next year.
The Magistrates Court in Suva announced that the trial will run for six weeks, from 2 June to 11 July 2025. Defense Counsel Davenesh Sharma stated that they plan to call 30 witnesses as there are no agreed facts in the case.
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 13 January 2025.
Bainimarama pleaded not guilty to one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official, while Qiliho pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse of office before Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou.
It is alleged that Bainimarama, between 21 May 2021 and 18 August 2021, as a public official, made an unwarranted demand to Rusiate Tudravu to terminate the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu from the Fiji Police Force, or face resignation if he did not comply.
This demand was purportedly made in Bainimarama’s capacity as Prime Minister to influence Tudravu, who was the Acting Commissioner of Police, in his official duties.
Qiliho, between 5 August and 18 August 2021, is accused of reviewing the disciplinary decision made by Tudravu against Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu, which was initially five paid working days. Contrary to this decision, Qiliho allegedly terminated their employment from the Fiji Police Force, an act considered an abuse of his office’s authority that was prejudicial to the rights of Ratei and Naulu.
The case is scheduled for mention on 13 January 2025.