14 January, 2026, 6:26 pm Central - 25°C Rain

Bainimarama and Qiliho plead not guilty
Bail ruling this hour

Bainimarama and Qiliho plead not guilty

Bail ruling this hour

By Vijay Narayan , Rashika Kumar
10/03/2023

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho have pleaded not guilty to a charge each of abuse of office.

They appeared before Magistrate Seini Puamau.

The matter has been stood down for 30 minutes following evidence given by Investigating Officer Sergeant Sunia Maniala on allegations of interference by Bainimarama and Qiliho.

Magistrate Seini Puamau says she will deliver her ruling on bail at about 12.45pm.

The State’s conditions include curfew from 5pm to 8am, surrendering travel documents, reporting twice a week at the nearest police station, sureties and other conditions such as non interference with witnesses.

The charges relate to a complaint laid with the police by the University of the South Pacific in July 2020 in relation to the activities of former staff members of the university.

Bainimarama and Qiliho are alleged to have arbitrarily and in abuse of the authority of their respective offices, terminated an active police investigation.

DPP has requested police to undertake further investigations into other matters arising from this case and more charges may be laid against other suspects in due course.

Present in court are Opposition MPs Parveen Bala, Premila Kumar, Jone Usamate, Ioane Naivalarua, Faiyaz Koya, Viliame Naupoto and Bainimarama and Qiliho's families.

Stay with us for developments.

FEATURE NEWS
Tuiketei stresses Miss Fiji Pageant does not tolerate bullying
Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Director, Ana Tuiketei has stressed this afternoon that the Miss Fiji Pageant does not tolerate bullying.Tuiketei stated ...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Sawani to Colo-i-Suva Water Project to commissioned in February next year - Soderberg
The Sawani to Colo-i-Suva Water Project is expected to be commissioned by February next year.This was highlighted by the Water Authority of Fiji CEO ...
1 hour ago

Search continues for two men swept away by strong currents
The search continues for a 50-year-old man and a 65-year-old man who were swept away by strong river currents in separate incidents on Monday ...
1 hour ago

New vehicle to strengthen Fiji Cancer Society’s community outreach
Kontiki Finance has continued its long-standing partnership with the Fiji Cancer Society by donating a fully maintained vehicle to support the ...
3 hours ago

FDB workshop calls for inclusive climate-resilient solutions
Expanding access to climate-resilient services for rural and hard-to-reach communities was a key focus of discussions at the FDB Climate Resilient ...
3 hours ago

Alleged ATM card thief granted bail
Niraj Prasad, who allegedly stole an ATM card earlier this month, has been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court. Prasad is charged with one ...
5 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
12 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
23 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
23 days ago

TOP