Bail has been extended for former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force, Sitiveni Qiliho, as they face serious charges related to inciting mutiny. The two appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad at the Suva Magistrates Court, where each was charged with one count of inciting mutiny, as outlined in Section 72(1)(b) of the Crimes Act 2009.
The accusations against Bainimarama include claims that he sent Viber messages between January 1 and July 31, 2023, to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai in a bid to instigate a takeover or challenge the authority of Jone Kalouniwai, who is the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Additionally, Bainimarama and Qiliho are jointly accused of attempting to convince senior officers of the RFMF, such as Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, Colonel Aseri Rokoura, and Colonel Viliame Draunibaka, to unlawfully arrest and gain control over the RFMF Commander during the period from July 1 to July 31, 2023.
The charges were initiated following a complaint from a public officer and have been formally advanced under the Criminal Procedure Act. During the latest court session, Luisa Latu, Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, pointed out that adverse weather conditions had obstructed the retrieval of crucial documents from the Western Division, which required additional time for the full disclosure of evidence. Consequently, Magistrate Prasad allowed both individuals to remain on bail, with the case rescheduled to March 19 for the completion of disclosures.
These ongoing legal proceedings reveal the intricate nature of securing evidence in difficult circumstances. It presents an opportunity for Bainimarama and Qiliho to adequately respond to the serious charges they face in the upcoming hearings, emphasizing the importance of the judicial process in addressing such significant allegations.