Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo has denied the bail pending appeal application for former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho.
This means they will remain in prison while awaiting their appeal decision on their sentence and conviction.
Bainimarama is serving his 1 year prison sentence after being found guilty of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice in the University of the South Pacific case while Qiliho is serving 2 years in prison for the charge of abuse of office.
While delivering the ruling, Acting Chief Justice Temo says he had carefully considered the two applicants’ petition on the appeal and the ground submitted thereunder and the test that there must be a very high likelihood of success in their appeal.
He says in his view, with respect, he does not see a very likelihood of success in the appeal.
He also says in any event, that question can only be honestly answered by the full Court of Appeal when they sit.
Acting Chief Justice Temo says although there are a number of convicted persons queueing up for their appeal to be heard in the High Court, the applicants’ appeal should be heard this year.
He adds although the two applicants are high profiled people, in the appeal system, every convicted person is equal before the law.
Bainimarama is serving his 1 year prison sentence after being found guilty of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice in the University of the South Pacific case while Qiliho is serving 2 years in prison for the charge of abuse of office.
