Former Fiji Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a 2021 incident involving the dismissal of two police officers.
Bainimarama and Qiliho appeared at a high court in Suva today, where they denied the charges relating to alleged abuse of office and misconduct in public service.
Bainimarama faces one count of unwarranted demand made by a public official, in connection with allegations that he pressured then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to terminate the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu. The charge alleges that between May 21 and August 18, 2021, Bainimarama threatened Tudravu’s job to force the dismissals.
Qiliho is charged with two counts of abuse of office, accused of directing the terminations without due process during the same period. Prosecutors argue the decision was “prejudicial to the rights” of the two officers and constituted an unlawful use of authority.
Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, presiding over the case, confirmed that the matter would proceed to trial from August 5 to August 29, 2025. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 4.
