Bainimarama asked Tudravu to look at his brother’s concern – Sergeant Temo

Sergeant Laitia Temo informed the court that during a caution interview at the CID Headquarters, the former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama confirmed that he had asked the then Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu to address a concern raised by his brother, Jonacani Bainimarama.

Temo testified that during the interview, Bainimarama was asked whether his brother had ever raised any issue regarding the Police Force.

He says Bainimarama replied that he had, explaining that Jonacani complained about his photo being in a Police Viber group after it was taken without permission by two police officers.

Bainimarama is charged with one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official while former Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho is charged with two counts of abuse of office.

Bainimarama and Qiliho allegedly made unwarranted demands to the then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, to terminate the employment of these police officers from the Fiji Police Force.

When State Counsel Pooja Mishra asked Temo what Bainimarama said when questioned about whether Tudravu acted on his advice, Temo said Bainimarama responded that he did not know.

Temo says his primary role in the case was to analyse Bainimarama’s call records from 1st May to 31st December 2021.

He says between 22nd May and 25th June, there were call exchanges between Jonacani Bainimarama, Voreqe Bainimarama, and Rusiate Tudravu.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Devanesh Sharma asked Temo if he knew what was discussed in those calls.

Temo says he did not and agreed that it could not be confirmed who was using the phones at the time.

He also confirmed that Bainimarama and Tudravu did not call each other after 1st August.

Meanwhile, Inspector Paula Kaikai, who conducted the caution interview, was also cross-examined by Sharma, who asked whether he was “fishing” for information from Bainimarama without providing any Viber messages showing the questions asked.

Kaikai says he could not recall if the Viber messages were provided and confirmed they relied solely on documents from the investigating team.

Kaikai also confirmed that Bainimarama was cooperative and answered all questions put to him.

Tudravu is expected to give evidence tomorrow, concluding the State’s witnesses.

It is alleged that Bainimarama, between the 21st of May 2021 to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva, as the Prime Minister of Fiji made an unwarranted demand with menance to the then Acting Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, by threatening his employment to influence the Acting COMPOL to comply with his unwarranted demand for the termination of the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu who came under the supervision and authority of the Commissioner of Police.

It is alleged that between the 5th to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva whilst being employed as the Commissioner of Police, Qiliho directed the termination of employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu without due process which was an abuse of office of his authority as the Commissioner of Police and the termination was prejudicial to the rights Ratei and Naulu.