Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
27 April, 2026, 11:40 am
Central - 29°C Clouds
IN DEPTH
27 April, 2026, 11:40 am Central - 29°C Clouds

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
Police officer in critical condition is Defence Minister's daughter
The female police officer who was hit by a car with drug and robbery suspects, and now in critical condition, is the daughter of Minister for Defence,...
8 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Police officer in critical condition is Defence Minister's daughter
The female police officer who was hit by a car with drug and robbery suspects, and now in critical condition, is the daughter of Minister for ...
8 minutes ago

Search and rescue operations continue for 9 missing fishermen - Fiji Navy
Search and rescue operations are continuing for the nine fishermen reported missing at sea after they failed to return from waters around Kadavu over ...
1 hour ago

Concern raised after temple fire and two break-ins in Waiwai Ba
Concerns have been raised following a fire that largely destroyed the Tapobhumi Temple and break-ins in Waiwai, Ba.Opposition MP, Viam Pillay, who ...
2 hours ago

Employment Bill set for Parliament next month after extended review
The Employment Relations Bill 2025 is currently before the Parliamentary Standing Committee for scrutiny and will be tabled in Parliament next month ...
3 hours ago

Rihanna receives grand welcome at Ambani family’s Antilia residence
The Ambani family has hosted global music star Rihanna at their Mumbai residence, Antilia during what was described as a special afternoon ...
5 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Drug lord Jone Vakarisi dies in military custody as investigations find unauthorised weapons outside RFMF inventory
Druglord, Jone Vakarisi has died in military custoday, 3 other associates have been released after questioning, 1 RFMF personnel remains in military ...
6 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
6 days ago

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's State Funeral
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva ...
11 days ago

TOP