Bainimarama and Qiliho to stand trial in April 2027

The trial of former Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been scheduled for April 5 to 30, 2027, with the High Court setting aside four weeks for the hearing.

The two men appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar this morning.

State prosecutor David Boseiwaqa appeared for the prosecution, while Devanesh Sharma represented the accused.

During the pre-trial conference, the prosecution told the court discussions were continuing with the defence on agreed facts and admitted evidence.

Mr Boseiwaqa said the State had resent documents requested by the defence and estimated its case would take about two weeks.

The prosecution intends to rely on direct evidence, phone records and expert witnesses to explain the extraction of data from electronic devices.

However, defence lawyer Mr Sharma told the court the prosecution's case could take between two and three-and-a-half weeks because of the expected lengthy cross-examination of witnesses.

Mr Sharma said the defence also expected to call both accused, along with up to three additional witnesses.

Justice Goundar subsequently set the trial for April 5 to 30, 2027, with the first week of May reserved should the hearing overrun.

A further pre-trial conference has been scheduled for November 24, 2026, to deal with any applications before the trial begins.

According to the charges, Bainimarama allegedly sent Viber messages to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai between January and July 2023 in an attempt to persuade him to take over command of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and remove the authority of Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai.

It is further alleged that Bainimarama and Qiliho jointly approached several senior military officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, Colonel Aseri Rokoura and Colonel Viliame Draunibaka, in July 2023 in an attempt to encourage the unlawful arrest of the Commander and assume control of his authority.