By MONIKA SINGH
Former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama was handed down a one-year custodial sentence by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo today.
Meanwhile suspended police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Bainimarama was found guilty of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice in the University of the South Pacific case while Qiliho was found guilty for the charge of abuse of office.
According to local media reports Justice Temo quashed the sentence that was previously handed down by Magistrate Seini Puamau.
They were found not guilty by Ms Puamau last October where she had announced that both their convictions would not be registered.
Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with a fine of $1500 on 28 March 2024 by the Suva Magistrates Court.
According to the FijiVillage news, Justice Temo said there was a breach of trust and at the material time, Bainimarama was the Prime Minister, adding that Bainimarama had taken an oath of allegiance.
Justice Temo also highlighted that Bainimarama’s mitigating factors were his medical condition and character reference by two former presidents.
Both prison sentences start immediately.
THIS NEWS WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN WANSOLWARA AND HAS BEEN REPUBLISHED HERE WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF THE EDITOR(S).
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