Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been convicted of making an unwarranted demand with menace, while former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been acquitted of two charges of abuse of office. Justice Thushara Rajasinghe delivered the verdict in a highly publicized trial in Suva that has attracted national attention.
Bainimarama’s conviction stems from actions taken between May 21 and August 18, 2021, when he pressured then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to dismiss two police officers—Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu. The court found that Bainimarama threatened to resign if Tudravu did not comply with his demands, constituting a demand made with menace under the law.
On the other hand, Qiliho was acquitted on two counts of abuse of office, which accused him of improperly reviewing and overturning Tudravu’s disciplinary decision regarding the two officers. The court determined there was insufficient evidence to uphold the charges against Qiliho.
The prosecution was led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro and Senior State lawyer Pooja Mishra, while Bainimarama and Qiliho were defended by lawyers Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima from R Patel Lawyers.
Following the judgment, sentencing for Bainimarama is expected to be announced at a later date. Public interest in this case remains high, as it raises compelling questions about accountability and ethics in governance. Observers remain hopeful that these proceedings will reinforce the principles of transparency and help restore faith in public institutions in Fiji, potentially paving the way for improved standards in governance.