Duo’s Trial Date Set for Next Year
Bainimarama has pleaded not guilty to one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official, while Qiliho has pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse of office.
Wednesday 17 July 2024 | 16:59
Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are escorted outside the High Court in Suva on July 16, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
The trial date for former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been set for June 2 next year.
At the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday, their lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, said they were still looking at documents for any admission. Mr Sharma said the trial would go for six weeks as they had 30 witnesses. The pre-trial conference is on the January 13. They appeared before Magistrate Jeremiah Savou.
Bainimarama has pleaded not guilty to one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official, while Qiliho has pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse of office.
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It is alleged that between the May 21, 2021 to August 18, 2021 in Suva, Bainimarama, being employed as a public official, gave an unwarranted demand to Rusiate Tudravu, to terminate the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu from the Fiji Police Force, and if he did not terminate the officers, he was to hand in his resignation.
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