The suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has submitted his resignation, paving the way for the appointment of a new head of police. The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received Qiliho’s resignation last Thursday, although the reasons for his departure remain undisclosed.
Qiliho was suspended on January 27, 2023, by President Ratu Willame Katonivere following the COC’s recommendation, amid allegations of misconduct. Despite his suspension, he continued to receive his full salary while waiting for a tribunal hearing regarding these allegations.
On May 9, 2023, Qiliho was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of office, in connection with former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who faced charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Qiliho’s conviction was linked to his orders to halt an investigation related to the University of the South Pacific in July 2020.
Despite his conviction, preparations for a tribunal to investigate the misconduct allegations against him continued, separate from the charges he faced in court. Additionally, Qiliho is dealing with another abuse of office charge that is still pending.
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,” 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; former senior police officers Luke Navela and Rusiate Tudravu; and Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong-Chew.