Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu were found guilty of taking and uploading a photo of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama's brother, Jonecani Bainimarama, in 2021, while three other officers were acquitted.
Prosecution witness Anil Prasad, who was the Tribunal Officer in this matter, gave evidence this afternoon during the trial of Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, who are accused of making unwarranted demands to dismiss the two police officers.
Prasad says the officers took Bainimarama’s brother’s photo and uploaded it in the COVID-19 Operations Viber group, assuming he was transporting drugs in his taxi.
He says that after the officers were found guilty, he recommended punishment—but not termination—to the Director of Internal Affairs.
He says after making the recommendation, he no longer had any involvement in the matter.
The Tribunal Officer says that after his recommendation, it was up to the Commissioner to finalise the punishment.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Devanesh Sharma asked if it was lawful for officers to photograph individuals who were not in custody or charged.
Prasad responded that it was unlawful, especially because the photo was shared with the caption "known suspect transporter."
He says he did not investigate the matter further because there were admissions.
Sharma told the court that Jonecani Bainimarama was a police informant.
The trial continues tomorrow and is scheduled to conclude on the 29th of August.
Bainimarama and Qiliho allegedly made unwarranted demands to the then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, to terminate the employment of two police officers from the Fiji Police Force.
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.
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 menace 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.
