Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho faced the Suva High Court today, pleading not guilty to charges related to abuse of office. Bainimarama is accused of making unwarranted demands of then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu between May 31 and August 18, 2021. Allegations suggest that he threatened Tudravu’s employment to compel him to either dismiss officers Penieli Ratei and Tomasi Naulu or resign.
Qiliho, on the other hand, is facing two counts of abuse of office for allegedly directing the unwarranted termination of officer Ratei and intervening in the disciplinary processes against officer Naulu without due process, actions viewed as abuses of authority that adversely affected the officers’ rights.
During a pre-trial conference, the State announced plans to call 15 witnesses, with the defense intending to present three. The trial is scheduled to commence on June 2 and run through July 11, 2025. This case has raised significant discussions on accountability within the governmental framework, underlining the importance of ethical governance in public office.
As these legal proceedings unfold, many observers have expressed a hope for a fair and just resolution, which could reinforce public trust in governmental institutions and promote transparency and integrity in Fiji’s public service. This trial marks not just a significant moment for the defendants, but also a pivotal opportunity for addressing broader issues of ethics and accountability in governance.
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