FORMER prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama has applied to the High Court to temporarily lift his travel restrictions so he can accompany his wife to New Zealand for urgent medical treatment.
Mr Bainimarama seeks a six-week variation of his bail conditions and suspension of Stop Departure Orders in two separate cases.
Justice Daniel Goundar heard that Mrs Bainimarama suffers from a serious spinal infection requiring specialist treatment unavailable in Fiji.
Despite undergoing spinal surgery on October 11, her condition has worsened, leaving her bedridden and in severe pain. The court heard that Allevia Hospital in Auckland has accepted her for treatment, and she is expected to travel by air ambulance.
Defence lawyers Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima argued that Mr Bainimarama was his wife’s primary caregiver and had complied with his bail conditions since 2023.
However, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro opposed the applications, raising concerns Mr Bainimarama might not return, potentially delaying his pending cases.
Justice Goundar will hear the application in Sigatoka on October 26.
