Bainimarama and Qiliho charged with abuse of office and remanded in custody
They will appear in court at 8am today

Bainimarama and Qiliho charged with abuse of office and remanded in custody

They will appear in court at 8am today

By Vijay Narayan , Krishneel Nair , Naveel Krishant
Friday 10/03/2023
Former PM Voreqe Bainimarama and Suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho

Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho have officially been charged with abuse of office and were kept in custody last night.

Chief of Intelligence and Investigations, Acting ACP Sakeo Raikaci says they will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court at 8am today.

Acting ACP Raikaci says given the seriousness of the charge, they could not grant bail to the two as it is not a bailable offence.

Additional security will be provided for the special court sitting today.

The charges have been sanctioned against Bainimarama and Qiliho.

The maximum penalty for abuse of office is 10 years imprisonment.

The Crimes Act states that if the act is done or directed to be done for gain, then the maximum penalty is 17 years imprisonment.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde had sanctioned the charges of abuse of office following a review of the police evidence docket.

Pryde says the charges relate to a complaint laid with the police by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019 in relation to the activities of former staff members of the university.

The DPP says Bainimarama and Qiliho are alleged to have arbitrarily and in abuse of the authority of their respective offices, terminated an active police investigation. The police have also been requested to undertake further investigations into other matters arising from this case and more charges may be laid against other suspects in due course.

Bainimarama and Qiliho arrived at around lunch time yesterday while Bainimarama arrived soon after 4pm for further questioning at the CID Headquarters before they were taken to the Totogo Police Station.

Raikaci says the continuation of the questioning was in accordance with the processes to be undertaken before the investigation was finalized.

He says the Police are doing there work without any interference.

Stay with us for developments.

FEATURE NEWS
Free, fair and unregulated media is vital for genuine democracy—Prof. Prasad
A free, fair and unregulated media is absolutely vital for true and genuine democracy. Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Bi...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
From Humble Beginnings to High-Tech Healing: PSH Hospitals Puts Fiji’s Health First
Fiji is experiencing a healthcare revolution, and at the heart of it all is Parvish Kumar—the visionary founder and CEO of Pacific Specialist ...
1 hour ago

Billion dollar cruise ship arrives in Suva with more than a thousand visitors
Fiji is the go-to destination for Australian couple Robin Cooper and her husband, who arrived in Suva this morning via the billion-dollar cruise ...
2 hours ago

It was a deliberate attack to ruin my reputation and positions – Tabuya
It was a deliberate attack. The attacker's sole purpose was to publicly humiliate, to defame me, to crucify me, to morally judge me, to character ...
2 hours ago

4 to front court for alleged meth and marijuana possession in Vatuwaqa
The four men who were allegedly found with methamphetamine and marijuana during a drug raid at the Nanuku Settlement in Vatuwaqa on Saturday have ...
3 hours ago

95 undersized mud crabs seized in Fisheries Ministry spot checks
The Ministry of Fisheries and the Fiji Navy confiscated 95 undersized mud crabs during enforcement spot checks in the Central Division following ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
6 days ago

PM Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. The in-depth interview will focus on many issues facing the ...
10 days ago

Perth 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side finished in 5th place at the HSBC Perth 7s after defeating France 17-5 in the 5th place ...
11 days ago

TOP