Frank Bainimarama, the former Prime Minister of Fiji, has been convicted on charges of corruption following a ruling by Justice Thushara Rajasinghe. The court found Bainimarama guilty of making demands with menace, specifically regarding his attempts to pressure then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu into dismissing Police Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu. The court’s judgment revealed that between May and August 2021, Bainimarama threatened Tudravu with resignation if he did not comply with his orders, qualifying as a legal demand made under duress.
Bainimarama is awaiting sentencing, which will be scheduled by the court at a future date. This conviction represents his second on corruption-related charges, having previously served a one-year prison sentence for obstructing a police investigation tied to corruption.
In related proceedings, former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been acquitted of two counts of abuse of office. The judiciary determined that there was insufficient evidence to support allegations that Qiliho had interfered with disciplinary actions against Ratei and Naulu. Both Bainimarama and Qiliho had been involved in a separate corruption scandal involving financial misconduct at the University of the South Pacific, where they both faced earlier convictions and jail time.
This case has captured significant public attention and highlights essential issues surrounding accountability and governance in Fiji. Many observers are hopeful that this ruling will lead to a stronger commitment to ethical practices within public service. The community is increasingly demanding transparency and a fortified accountability structure, which could, in turn, restore public trust in governmental institutions. As legal proceedings progress, there remains a collective aspiration for a more accountable and transparent governance system, reinforcing the need for integrity in public office.