Malani Claims $800m Plus Compensation

Veronica Malani is claiming more than $800 million in compensation from 11 people who were involved in the investigation process of the alleged 1987 bombing case in 2020.

The defendants to this civil matter involved some members of the Fiji Police Force and the director of the Public Prosecutions including: 

• Fiji Police Commissioner,
• suspended Director of Public Prosecution, Christopher Pryde,
• former Minister for Defence, Inia Seruiratu,
• former Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum,
• former Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu,
• retired Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Crime, Biu Matavou,
•  former DPP lawyer, Neelraj
• former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Mesake Waqa,
• former Police Inspector and team leader of the 1987 bombing Investigation team, Esili Nadolo,
• former Police Inspector and team member of 1987 bombing Investigation, Rupeni Taoka and
• former Police officer, Makelesi Ranadi. The matter was called before Justice Usaia Ratuvili at the High Court in Suva on Wednesday for the first call.

Malani is suing them for misfeasance, willful Police misconduct, abuse of office and discrimination.

She claimed that during the investigation process, Police failed to conduct a thorough, fair, non-biased, non-discriminatory and comprehensive inquiry, despite having four credible witnesses.

She claimed that the Police declared that there was insufficient evidence and had failed to interview the suspect at that time, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

During the court proceeding, Ms Malani, who represented herself, asked the court for more time to find a lawyer, as she was the one that filed the case in court.

With no objections from the defense, Justice Ratuvili adjourned the matter to August 7 to check on this.

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