Bainimarama & Qiliho judgement on September 26

The judgement in the abuse of office case involving former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho will now be heard on September 26.

The matter was scheduled for judgement at 9.30am today, but the High Court Criminal Registry confirmed that Justice Thushara Rajasinghe’s decision is not ready.

Bainimarama faces one count of Unwarranted Demands Made by a Public Official, after allegedly instructing former Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to either terminate the employment of Penieli Nayare Ratei and Tomasi Naulu or resign.

The alleged incident occurred between May 21 and August 18, 2021.

Qiliho is charged with two counts of abuse of office. It is alleged that between August 5 and 8, 2021, while serving as Police Commissioner, he reviewed Tudravu’s disciplinary decision against Naulu, who had been fined two days’ pay, and instead terminated the employment of both Naulu and Ratei.

The case stems from their alleged interference in a drug investigation, where Ratei and Naulu took photographs of Bainimarama’s brother and shared them on two Viber chat groups.

Both Bainimarama and Qiliho are currently on bail after serving previous sentences for abuse of office in connection with the University of the South Pacific investigation.