Vinaka, vinaka, vinaka! (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)
These were the final words of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama to his supporters as he was escorted in handcuffs out of a packed courtroom yesterday to serve a 12-month prison sentence.
Outside court, supporters of the former military strongman lined up along every accessway amid heavy police presence to see him off.
Meanwhile, a sombre looking Mary Bainimarama was greeted with the hymn Na Tui Dau Loloma Ga as she was led along by a line of police vehicles.
Bainimarama’s lawyers, who were visibly emotional, vowed the fight was not over yet.
In court, Justice Salesi Temo said Bainimarama had broken his oath to the people.
“Your words, actions, comments, orders and directions as the PM of the Republic of Fiji at the material time carried great weight with the leaders of the various government departments and government statutory bodies,” he said.
