The Suva Magistrate’s Court will know on May 28 whether Voreqe Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho will object or not to the State’s motion to have their case transferred to the High Court.
The case involves the sacking of two police officers in 2021.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro informed Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne of the State’s intention to move the case to the High Court for trial.
Bainimarama is charged with unwarranted demands by a public officer between May 21 and August 18.
He is accused of demanding then former acting police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to terminate the services of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu.
The particulars of the offence state Mr Tudravu was told he would have to resign if he did not terminate the officers’ work contract.
Qiliho is also charged with two counts of abuse of office for reviewing the disciplinary action decision made by Mr Tudravu.
The men’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, sought time to respond to the State’s application.
Mr Somaratne said this new development may necessitate vacating the fixed trial date.
Mr Sharma will confirm to the court the defence’s stance during the hearing on the motion to commence on June 2.
