4 February, 2026, 11:51 pm Central - 25°C Clouds

Bainimarama and Qiliho’s appeal hearing date to be set today

Bainimarama and Qiliho’s appeal hearing date to be set today

By Vijay Narayan
30/01/2025
Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho

The hearing date for the appeal against conviction, sentencing and bail pending appeal in the USP case of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, will be determined by the Fiji Court of Appeal today.

After an assessment by the Appeal Court Judge, Justice Chandana Prematilaka on the submissions received by both counsels, he will set the hearing date.

Bainimarama and Qiliho’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma has appealed the conviction of the two.

Sharma has also appealed on the grounds that Chief Justice Salesi Temo erred in law as the sentencing court has the jurisdiction to not record a conviction, and that Chief Justice Temo also refused to recuse himself when an application was made based on him attacking Magistrate Seini Puamau.

The bail pending appeal only applies to Qiliho as Bainimarama was granted an early release on the 8th of November.

Qiliho is serving a 2 year prison sentence for the charge of abuse of office.

Stay with us for developments.

FEATURE NEWS
Calls made in Galoa to reintroduce corporal punishment for iTaukei students
Calls for the return of corporal punishment in schools — targeted specifically at iTaukei students — were raised by villagers of Galoa in Serua du...
6 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Man removed from Veivatuloa Village in Namosi for possessing marijuana
A man who has maternal links to Veivatuloa Village in Namosi has been removed from the village after marijuana was found at his home.Tui Namosi, Ratu ...
4 hours ago

JSC to hear Malimali, State and PM’s counsel on High Court orders
The Judicial Services Commission, after extensive deliberations in its meeting today, has resolved to invite former FICAC Commissioner Barbara ...
4 hours ago

Mataqali Saniveikau gives five-day ultimatum over water catchment dispute
The Mataqali Saniveikau has given the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Tailevu Provincial Office five days to meet with them, together with the ...
7 hours ago

President conveys his support for appropriate options - PM
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says President and Turaga Bale Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has conveyed his support for the appropriate ...
7 hours ago

Seruiratu tells Rabuka to step aside during appeal process
Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu says the if Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is serious about accountability, there is a clear and honourable ...
11 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
14 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
15 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
15 days ago

TOP