Bainimarama says allegations against him aren't true and he never demanded Tudravu to resign

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has stressed in the High Court today that the allegations against him are not true.

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 for sacking two police officers in 2021.

While taking the stand in court today, the former Prime Minister said that he never demanded the then Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu to resign.

Bainimarama says his elder brother, Jonacani Bainimarama, had complained that his photo was shared in a Police Viber group and that he felt embarrassed about it.

Bainimarama says he then called and later met with Tudravu about the matter.

He says Tudravu informed him that he would speak to the officers involved, and Bainimarama was satisfied with that response.

The former Prime Minister also stressed that he never sent Viber messages to Tudravu regarding his brother's complaint.

He further said that after this discussion, they never spoke about the issue again.

He says he was not aware of an officer being convicted after a Police Tribunal was set up.

Bainimarama says he was confused when Tudravu gave his evidence about the allegation because he never demanded for his resignation.

The former Prime Minister adds that if Tudravu had anything against him, he would not have accepted his invitation to become Chair of the Tailevu Provincial Council.

He also told the court that he always maintained an open-door policy, where he engaged with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and Police officers regarding people’s concerns.

The cross-examination is expected to continue after the break.

It is alleged that Bainimarama and Qiliho made unwarranted demands to then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, directing him to terminate the employment of certain police officers from the Fiji Police Force.

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.