Bainimarama and Qiliho pre-trial set for March

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, will reappear before the Suva Magistrate’s Court on March 10, for their pretrial conference.Bainimarama was already at the court yesterday morning; however, the Fiji Corrections Service escorted Qiliho to court after the case was called.They appeared before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou with abuse of office charges.

Bainimarama was charged with one count of unwarranted Demands made by a public official after allegedly demanding former senior police officer, Rusiate Tudravu, to terminate the employment of Penieli Nayare Ratei and Tomasi Naulu or hand in his resignation.The mentioned incident occured between May 21 and August 18, 2021.

Qiliho was charged with two counts of abuse of office.It is alleged that between August 5 and 8 2021, being employed as Commissioner of Police, he reviewed the disciplinary decision made by Tudravu as the Acting Commissioner of Police against Naulu, which was a fine equivalent to two working days pay, and contrary to this decision, he terminated the employment of the two officers.

It is also alleged that during the same period, he also reviewed the disciplinary decision made by Tudravu, which was a fine equivalent to five working days, and contrary to this decision, terminated the employment of Ratei.

A trial date is also expected to be set in the next hearing.

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