Bainimarama and Qiliho Case Sent Back to Magistrates Court

A constitutional challenge involving former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and ex-Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has been referred back to the Magistrates Court, following a ruling by High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar.

The case, which stems from allegations related to the dismissal of two police officers, has been scheduled to resume on June 2, 2025.

Justice Goundar ruled that the Magistrates Court lacked legal grounds to escalate the matter to the High Court purely to obtain judicial guidance on a specific aspect of the charges. He emphasized that such referrals must be based on clear jurisdictional grounds, not to seek opinions on points of law.

Bainimarama faces a charge of making an unwarranted demand as a public official, while Qiliho is accused of abusing his authority on two occasions. The charges relate to reported instructions allegedly given to then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to dismiss the two officers in question.

The case will now proceed under the original jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court, where substantive arguments are expected to be heard next month.