The charge against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, in the case where he is charged alongside former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho for allegedly making unwarranted demands to dismiss two police officers, has been amended.
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 now 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 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.
In Qiliho’s case, 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.
During the pre-trial conference this morning, Bainimarama and Qiliho’s lawyer Gul Fatima told the court they could be taking the stand during the trial in the event they have to open the case.
Fatima says they will have no other witnesses.
State Counsel Laisani Tabuakuro says they will have 13 witnesses.
Suva High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe also gave a formal notice to Bainimarama and Qiliho that the trial will continue in their absence if they fail to appear on the date of the trial.
The trial will be held from 5th to 29th August.
