Veronica Malani is seeking more than $800 million in compensation from 11 individuals involved in the investigation of the purported 1987 bombing case in 2020.
The defendants in this civil case include several members of the Fiji Police Force and the director of Public Prosecutions:
– Fiji Police Commissioner,
– Suspended Director of Public Prosecution, Christopher Pryde,
– Former Minister for Defence, Inia Seruiratu,
– Former Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum,
– Former Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu,
– Retired Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Crime, Biu Matavou,
– Former DPP lawyer, Neelraj,
– Former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Mesake Waqa,
– Former Police Inspector and team leader of the 1987 bombing investigation team, Esili Nadolo,
– Former Police Inspector and team member of the 1987 bombing investigation, Rupeni Taoka,
– Former Police officer, Makelesi Ranadi.
The case was called before Justice Usaia Ratuvili at the High Court in Suva for the first time on Wednesday.
Malani is suing these individuals for misfeasance, willful police misconduct, abuse of office, and discrimination.
She alleges that during the investigation, the police failed to conduct a thorough, fair, unbiased, non-discriminatory, and comprehensive inquiry, even though there were four credible witnesses. She claims that the police declared there was insufficient evidence and failed to interview the suspect at the time, Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum.
During the court proceedings, Ms. Malani, who represented herself, requested more time to find a lawyer, as she was the one who filed the case. With no objections from the defense, Justice Ratuvili adjourned the matter to August 7 to allow Ms. Malani to secure legal representation.