FORMER police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho yesterday denied using the process of receiving legal advice from the Solicitor-General’s office as a way of covering up his arbitrary act against Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu.
Qiliho’s testimony came after Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro indicated his actions were arbitrary due to a lack of valid reasons for terminating the officers’ services, labelling his evidence a lie.
He, however, maintained the officers’ services had to be terminated because of the seriousness of their actions, which were minimised to just a pay-day fine and a warning letter issued by then acting police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu on August 4, 2021.
Qiliho said any decision made by Mr Tudravu after July 24, 2021, when Qiliho returned to Fiji from the UK, were null and void, prompting him to reassess his decisions.
He acknowledged he appointed Mr Tudravu to act in his absence, yet he was unaware that the President, following the advice of the Constitutional Officers Commission (CoC), also endorsed his acting role.
He told trial judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe that he only learned about the appointment letter during the trial.
Qiliho confirmed he had made the decision to terminate the officers’ services between August 11 and 13, 2021, but requested that they show cause within four days, and formalised the termination on the 19th, but later agreed to the second legal opinion from the S-G’s office recommending reinstatement and reimbursement.
Adding to this, Qiliho said Mr Bainimarama did not exert control over him, otherwise, he would have seriously considered the repercussions of reinstating the officers.
He said he consistently carried out his policing responsibilities without interference. He also dismissed Ms Tabuakuro’s claim that he reviewed the file because the complainant, Jonacani, was Mr Bainimarama’s elder brother.
Closing submissions have been adjourned to September 1.