Tudravu says he was threatened by Voreqe Bainimarama that he should resign if he does not sack 2 officers

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has told the Suva High Court that he was threatened by former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama that if he does not sack Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu from the Fiji Police Force, he should tender in his resignation.

While taking the stand as a prosecution witness today in the trial of Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho who allegedly made unwarranted demands to him in 2021 as the then Acting Police Commissioner to terminate the employment of two police officers from the Police Force, Tudravu said he tendered in his resignation to uphold the integrity of the institution and the two men.

He says it was after his resignation when he heard that the two men were removed from the Force.

Tudravu says political interference is not good for the institution and also not a good reason to terminate someone.

He also revealed that within the Police Force, Jonacani Bainimarama was well known as a drug carrier and he knew Jonacani because he was caught with drugs in Lami.

The case will be called again at 2pm for cross examination.

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.