A tribunal officer at the Fiji Police Force, Jovilisi Leweniqila, testified this morning regarding the ongoing trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. Leweniqila, who is the Deputy Director of Human Resources at the Police Force, explained that his role involves making recommendations to the Police Commissioner concerning disciplinary actions imposed by a tribunal.
During his testimony, Leweniqila further clarified the internal communication structure within the Police Force and how orders from the upper hierarchy are executed. He indicated that formal correspondence is necessary for any directives, particularly regarding terminations and disciplinary actions. Notably, Leweniqila revealed that orders to termination for police officers Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu came directly from Qiliho, but he did not provide justification as to why their case was handled with such urgency; these officers were given just three days to respond, instead of the usual 14 days.
The case revolves around serious accusations against Bainimarama and Qiliho, alleging that they improperly pressured then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to terminate Ratei and Naulu. Bainimarama, as Prime Minister at the time, allegedly threatened Tudravu with resignation if he did not comply with the demand to fire the two officers. Qiliho has also been accused of misusing his authority by overriding Tudravu’s prior disciplinary decisions leading to the officers’ abrupt dismissals.
This trial is part of a broader discussion regarding accountability in Fiji’s governance, and many observers express optimism that these proceedings will promote transparency and reinforce ethical behavior among public officials. The developments in this case highlight ongoing concerns about the integrity of government operations and the rights of civil servants, emphasizing the community’s hope for justice and ethical governance in Fiji.
The trial is expected to continue, with both sides preparing for further testimony and legal discussions in the coming weeks.
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