Bainimarama allowed to travel to NZ for wife’s urgent treatment

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been allowed to travel to New Zealand to accompany his wife, Mary Bainimarama, who requires urgent specialist medical treatment in Auckland.

This follows an application by his counsel to vary his bail conditions, which was heard in Sigatoka on Monday.

Delivering his ruling virtually today, Suva High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar lifted Bainimarama’s stop-departure order for six weeks, allowing him to travel to Auckland.

However, Justice Goundar has ordered that Bainimarama must return to Fiji by December 3rd for his Health Tender trial involving former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma.

Bainimarama is charged with one count of abuse of office.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing the course of justice, while Dr Sharma faces two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust by a person employed in the public service.

Under the varied bail conditions, Bainimarama is permitted to travel only to Auckland and must remain there for the duration of his stay to accompany his wife during her medical treatment.

Before his departure, he must lodge with the High Court Registry and serve on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions a copy of his passport's photo page, his travel itinerary, including flight details, and his residential address and contact number in Auckland.

Justice Goundar also ordered that Bainimarama must not travel to any other country and is restricted to travelling between his place of residence, the hospital and the airport while in Auckland.

He is also prohibited from applying for or obtaining any visa or travel documents for another country.

Upon returning to Fiji, Bainimarama must surrender his passport to the High Court Registry within 48 hours and report to the Officer-in-Charge at Totogo Police Station within 24 hours.

Justice Goundar warned that if Bainimarama fails to return to Fiji and surrender himself into custody as required, his bail may be revoked and a warrant may be issued for his arrest.