Several senior military officers were allegedly approached by former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho between July 1 and July 31, 2023, in a joint effort to incite them to unlawfully arrest and take over the authority of RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai.
The two men fronted the Suva Magistrate’s Court for the first time yesterday before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.
Mr Bainimarama faces one count of inciting to mutiny.
According to the charge sheet, Count One alleges that Mr Bainimarama, between January 1 and July 31, 2023, sent Viber messages in Suva 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), Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai.
Mr Bainimarama and Mr Qiliho are jointly charged under Count Two. It is alleged that between July 1 and July 31, 2023, the duo 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.
The charges were laid under the Criminal Procedure Act and filed as a complaint by a public officer.
Given the offence is indictable but triable summarily, the two opted to be tried in the lower court.
Both men were released on bail with strict conditions, including that they must not reoffend while on bail.
