The High Court in Suva has ruled against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in his lawsuit regarding unpaid pension and gratuity claims against the Fiji Government. The decision delivered by Justice Daniel Goundar brings an end to a high-profile civil case that has drawn significant public attention.
Bainimarama, who served Fiji as Prime Minister and remains a notable figure in its political landscape, claimed that the government failed to properly calculate his retirement benefits. His legal action named the Attorney-General as the second defendant, focusing on alleged inaccuracies in the computation of his entitlements during the COVID-19 period. Specifically, Bainimarama argued that his pension should be $246,562.50 annually but was instead set at $184,921.87 due to an erroneously reduced salary. Furthermore, he claimed that his lump sum gratuity payment should have been $770,507.87, rather than the $433,296.75 disbursed.
In pursuit of his claims, Bainimarama sought an additional gratuity balance of $337,211.12, a fortnightly pension of $7,112.37, and an interest of 13.5 percent annually on these amounts. However, the court concluded the case by dismissing Bainimarama’s claims and ordering him to pay $5,000 in legal costs to the defendants within 21 days.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the government maintained that the salary reductions during the COVID-19 period were lawful and correctly implemented, thereby accurately reflecting his retirement benefits. This decision serves as a conclusion to the financial dispute regarding public service pensions in Fiji, which sparked discussions on the intricacies of such calculations and governmental responsibilities.
While the ruling may be viewed unfavorably by Bainimarama, it underscores the importance of clarity in pension entitlements and the accountability of legal processes. This case may foster improvements in how such entitlements are managed in the future, potentially advocating for transparency and consistency in public governance. As Fiji continues to navigate these complexities, this resolution highlights the significance of judicial proceedings in addressing similar concerns for government officials and public servants.