Former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama had called former Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu three times to raise concerns about a picture a police officer took of his brother, Jonacani, in May 2021.
Sergeant Laitia Temo, who took the stand yesterday in a case where the former PM is accused of making unwarranted demands made by a public officer between May 21 and August 18, 2021, said he had analysed the incoming and outgoing call records of four phone numbers from May 1 to December 31, 2021.
He also assisted the interviewing officer during Mr Bainimarama’s caution interview.
Sgt Temo testified that on May 22, 2021, there were three phone calls between Mr Bainimarama and his brother Jonacani. Additionally, Mr Bainimarama spoke to Mr Tudravu once that day and also communicated with him on May 30 and June 25.
In the transcript of his recorded interview, the former PM confirmed his brother had reached out to him, and it was about the photographs taken by Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu, which were uploaded to a police Viber group chat.
Mr Bainimarama said he requested Mr Tudravu to investigate the matter, not as his brother but as a concerned citizen.
When the interviewer asked if Mr Tudravu acted on his suggestion, Mr Bainimarama replied he was unsure.
Meanwhile, director CID Serupepeli Neiko testified that Mr Tudravu instructed him to record Jonacani’s statement on May 22, 2021, concerning the issue of his photographs being taken.
Another witness, Inspector Suliasi Dulaki, informed the court that he retrieved Mr Tudravu’s appointment letter as acting commissioner, as well as that of former commissioner of police Sitiveni Qiliho, from the office of the President on August 7, through a search warrant.
Defence lawyer Devanesh Sharma indicated that he would be questioning Mr Tudravu tomorrow when he takes the stand about his appointment.