Rabuka Admits No Formal Request for Release of Bainimarama and Qiliho

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has admitted he did not make a prior formal request for the release of former PM Voreqe Bainimarama and convicted former Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho to attend the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Reconciliation and Restoration programme.

At the reconciliation and restoration formalities last Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Nabua, Mr Rabuka told the attendees that he had requested the presence of Mr Bainimarama and Mr Qiliho.

On Monday, Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa told this masthead there were no formal requests communicated to him for the official release of the duo.

Under the Corrections Service Act 2006, short-term release is the prerogative of the Commissioner.

Clarifying his request, Mr Rabuka said; “That’s correct, there was no proper communication.

“When I went to the Queen Elizabeth Barrack, I saw that they were not there, I asked if they could be released.

“I asked the President but it’s neither the President nor I have the authority to release them, only the Prison Commissioner for Corrections Services.

“That is on the authority, on the application of those incarcerated or their relatives.”

The Correction Services Act 2006 bestows power to the Commissioner in releasing prisoners to attend a course of instruction, care and supervision of traditional chiefs or other community leaders to facilitate the re-entry of the prisoners and any other arrangement permitting short-term release.

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