Bail has been extended for former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force, Sitiveni Qiliho, who are currently facing charges related to inciting mutiny. The two appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad at the Suva Magistrates Court, each charged with one count of inciting mutiny, under Section 72(1)(b) of the Crimes Act 2009.
The first charge against Bainimarama alleges that he sent Viber messages between January 1 and July 31, 2023, to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai in Suva, attempting to incite him to undertake a takeover or challenge the authority of Jone Kalouniwai, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. The second charge sees Bainimarama and Qiliho jointly accused of attempting to persuade senior RFMF officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, Colonel Aseri Rokoura, and Colonel Viliame Draunibaka, to unlawfully arrest and assume control over the RFMF Commander during the period from July 1 to July 31, 2023.
These charges stemmed from a complaint filed by a public officer and were formalized under the Criminal Procedure Act. During the recent court session, Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Luisa Latu informed the court that adverse weather conditions had hindered the retrieval of necessary documents from the Western Division, necessitating further time for full disclosures. Hence, Magistrate Prasad granted continued bail for both individuals, with the case adjourned until March 19 for the completion of disclosures.
The developments in this case highlight ongoing legal proceedings and the complexities involved in securing evidence and documentation under challenging circumstances. There remains an opportunity for both Bainimarama and Qiliho to respond to the charges effectively in the upcoming hearings.