Sitiveni Qiliho, the suspended Commissioner of Police, has resigned, paving the way for the appointment of a new police chief. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, but the reasons for his decision have not been disclosed.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere following recommendations from the COC due to allegations of misconduct. He continued to receive his full salary while awaiting a tribunal hearing.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, alongside former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who faced a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Qiliho’s conviction was related to his directives to stop an investigation involving the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Even though he was convicted, the COC had planned to hold a tribunal to investigate the initial misconduct allegations, which were independent of the charges leading to his conviction. Qiliho is also facing another separate charge of abuse of office in court.
Attorney-General and COC member Graham Leung stated that Qiliho’s resignation eliminates the need for the tribunal. “Mr. Qiliho’s resignation creates a vacancy in the substantive position, allowing us to move forward with advertising the role,” Mr. Leung explained. “We couldn’t proceed earlier as he was still the substantive post holder despite his conviction.”
Potential candidates for the Commissioner of Police position include Unaisi Vuniwaqa, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security, as well as former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu, and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.