I feel for him! This is how Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reacted when told his predecessor, Voreqe Bainimarama, had been handed a non-custodial sentence and was discharged without conviction by Suva magistrate Seini Puamau.
“For it to come to an end is a relief,” he said, when informed straight after he stepped out of a mid-day church service he attended with staff members from his office.
“It is no fun being in court. I have a lot of experience with that.”
Mr Rabuka said being given a non jail term would allow Mr Bainimarama to spend more time with his family.
“It would bring a lot of relief to the family.
“It is also a non-custodial sentence so he will be with them, helping them to regroup and move on.”
Mr Bainimarama and suspended police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho were both handed non-custodial sentences by Ms Puamau yesterday.
The former PM was convicted for one count of attempting to pervert the cause of justice while Mr Qiliho was convicted for one count of abuse of office.
Mr Qiliho was fined $1500 and discharged as well.
