I want the truth to be known - Tudravu

I have kept my silence from the time I resigned, I’m saying it now, because I want the truth to be known.

Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu stated this in the High Court under cross examination by defence counsel Devanesh Sharma in the trial of former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho who allegedly made unwarranted demands to Tudravu in 2021 as the then Acting Police Commissioner to terminate the employment of two police officers from the Police Force.

Tudravu says while this decision affected him, he took it in his stride to show the men under him that he will not go against the government or the then Prime Minister.

He says he did not retaliate or share that he was directed to resign from his position.

When asked by Sharma why this was not reflected in his resignation letter, Tudravu says he does not have to prove himself.

He says after he had resigned, Qiliho told him that he should have just gone with what the former Prime Minister Bainimarama wanted.

Tudravu also stated that if he had resigned in good faith, he would have at least been given a farewell party after serving the Force for 39 years.

He says he was given nothing, not even a cup of coffee.

The trial will continue on Monday.

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 of Ratei and Naulu.