Former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho will return to court later this month on charges of inciting mutiny.
The Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday declined a prosecution request to fix a hearing date for the case, saying all prosecution evidence must first be served on them.
Mr Bainimarama is charged with a count of inciting mutiny, which alleges that between January 1 and July 31, 2023, he sent Viber messages to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai, attempting to incite him to take over command or overthrow the authority of the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Ro Jone Kalouniwai.
Mr Qiliho and Mr Bainimarama are jointly charged with another count of inciting mutiny, which alleges that between July 1 and July 31, 2023, the men spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, Colonel Aseri Rokoura, Colonel Viliame Draunibaka, and other senior RFMF officers in Suva, in an attempt to incite them to unlawfully arrest and take over the authority of the RFMF Commander.
Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Luisa Latu explained that due to adverse weather conditions, her office had received a number of evidential documents late and therefore sought additional time to deliver full evidence disclosures to the two men.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad granted the State 14 days to comply.
The men’s bail has been extended, and the case adjourned to March 19.
