Closing submissions in Bainimarama and Qiliho trial adjourned to Thursday

The closing submissions in the trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho have been adjourned to Thursday.

This follows a request from State Counsel Pooja Mishra, who asked High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe for more time due to extensive legal research.

Defence counsel Devanesh Sharma says that Acting DPP Laisani Tabuakuro had emailed him yesterday to inform him that more time was being sought.

Sharma adds that he is ready with his submission, but the adjournment will give them additional time to improvise their arguments.

Justice Rajasinghe has asked both counsels to include clarification on the charges, particularly the issue of "unwarranted demand."

Bainimarama is charged with one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official, while Qiliho is charged with two counts of abuse of office for sacking two police officers in 2021.

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.