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.
