FORMER police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho is expected to be released from prison next Monday, the High Court in Suva heard yesterday.
His lawyers, Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima, informed Justice Thushara Rajasinghe of the expected release date during closing submissions in the case involving Qiliho and former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama over the termination of two police officers in 2021.
Qiliho was convicted of abuse of office, while Bainimarama was found guilty of attempting to obstruct justice in relation to a USP case. On May 9 last year, Chief Justice Salesi Temo sentenced Bainimarama to one year in prison and Qiliho to two years.
Mr Bainimarama was released after six months, while Qiliho has remained in prison.
Meanwhile, during the closing submissions, Mr Sharma argued Qiliho had not engaged in any wrongful conduct because, while insisting on terminating the officers for their lenient penalties, he heeded the legal advice from the Solicitor-General and, as a responsible employer, chose to reinstate and compensate the officers.
Mr Sharma said Qiliho concentrated on the victims’ case file rather than similar disciplinary files because the decision regarding the victims’ was made just a day after his return to office, which meant he committed no wrongful act.
In contrast, Assistant DPP Laisani Tabuakuro contended the prosecution had established its case against the two men beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Rajasinghe will deliver the outcome of the trial on September 12.