High Profile Dockets Under Consideration By ODPP Include Bainimarama, Sayed-Khaiyum, Qiliho, Rabuka, Ditoka
This process can often be time consuming, but it is important that decisions are not rushed and the right decision is made based on the evidence according to the law. A charge is only ever filed if there is a reasonable prospect for conviction, and it is in the public interest.
Thursday 13 April 2023 | 11:00
From left: Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Sitiveni Qiliho, Voreqe Bainimarama, Sitiveni Rabuka and Sakiasi Ditoka.
The ODPP has received numerous requests from various media outlets for updates on the progress of police complaints involving high-profile individuals. When the police complete an investigation following a complaint, the file is often sent to the ODPP for further advice or decision on charge.
Once the file has been received by the ODPP registry, it is allocated to a legal officer to provide a formal advice. The file is then forwarded to a manager before recommendations are given to the DPP for final decision.
Sometimes during this process, the file is sent back to the police for further investigation, and sometimes the file is sent back to the legal officer to provide further legal advice on aspects of the evidence.
Related stories
This process can often be time consuming, but it is important that decisions are not rushed and the right decision is made based on the evidence according to the law. A charge is only ever filed if there is a reasonable prospect for conviction, and it is in the public interest.
The following summary is a collation of current police dockets received by the ODPP registry on the following people with current status:
Date received by Registry: 17 February 2023
Voreqe Bainimarama, Sitiveni Qiliho, Mesake Waqa and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Decision to charge Bainimarama and Qiliho for abuse of office on 9 March 2023.
Files sent back to police for further investigation on the other two suspects.
Date received by Registry: 27 February 2023
Voreqe Bainimarama Suspected Charge: Sedition Allocated to a legal officer, advice completed but returned to legal officer for further analysis.
No decision yet.
Date received by Registry: 4 April 2023
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mohammed Saneem
Suspected Charge:
Bribery Allocated to a legal officer for advice; no decision yet.ODPP
Date received by Registry: 5 April 2023
Sitiveni Qiliho
Suspected Charge: Malicious act Allocated to a legal officer for advice; no decision yet.
Date received by Registry: 5 April 2023
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Suspected Charge: Inciting communal antagonism Allocated to a legal officer for advice; no decision yet.
Date received by Registry: 5 April 2023
Sitiveni Rabuka and Sakiasi Ditoka
Suspected Charge: Urging political violence and urging communal antagonism Allocated to a legal officer for advice; no decision yet.
Date received by Registry: 5 April 2023
Ili Vunisuwai
Suspected Charge: Urging political violence and urging communal antagonism
Allocated to a legal officer for advice; no decision yet.
Source: ODPP
Feedback: fonua.talei@fijisun.com.fj
