Bainimarama and Qiliho to appear in court today for the case of the two terminated police officers

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho will reappear in the Suva Magistrates Court later this morning.

Bainimarama and Qiliho who are currently in prison serving 1 year and 2 year sentences respectively for the USP case, will appear relating to charges where they were allegedly involved in making unwarranted demands to the Acting Commissioner at the time, Rusiate Tudravu which eventually resulted in the termination of two police officers.

Bainimarama had earlier pleaded not guilty to one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official, while Qiliho has pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse of office before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou.

It is alleged that Bainimarama, between the 21st of May 2021 to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva, being employed as a public official, made an unwarranted demand to Rusiate Tudravu, to terminate the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu from the Fiji Police Force, and if he did not terminate the officers, he was to hand in his resignation.

It is alleged his demand was directly related to Bainimarama’s official capacity as the Prime Minister of Fiji, and was done with the intention of influencing Tudravu, a public official, in the exercise of his official duty as the Acting Commissioner of Police.

It is alleged that Qiliho, between the 5th to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva, being employed as the Commissioner of Police, reviewed the disciplinary decision given by Rusiate Tudravu as the Acting Commissioner of Police against Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu which was five equivalent paid working days, and contrary to this decision terminated the employment of Ratei and Naulu from the Fiji Police Force in the abuse of the authority of his office which was an arbitrary act, prejudicial to the rights of Ratei and Naulu.

Stay with us for developments.