The Suva High Court has postponed the delivery of judgment for former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe has requested that additional submissions be filed by both state and defense counsels. The judge seeks interpretations regarding various sections of the law that relate to the authority and appointment process of Acting Police Commissioners. This inquiry aims to clarify whether the power to appoint rests solely with the Constitutional Offices Commission or if an officer can delegate this role.
The deadline for these submissions is set for next Tuesday, with the final judgment anticipated the following Thursday. The charges faced by Bainimarama and Qiliho involve making unwarranted demands as a public official and two counts of abuse of office, respectively. These charges are related to allegations from 2021 concerning the employment terminations of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu. Bainimarama is accused of influencing the acting police commissioner to dismiss these officers, while Qiliho allegedly abused his authority by overturning a disciplinary action, opting instead for termination.
Extending from past court proceedings, the case has drawn significant public attention as it underscores essential issues of governance, ethical conduct, and accountability amongst officials in Fiji. The ongoing proceedings have the potential to foster an environment supporting transparency and justice, elements vital to upholding public trust in government institutions. This legal encounter presents an opportunity for reinforcing the ethical foundations of Fiji’s public service, offering hope for more transparent governance standards.