Former Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama pleads not guilty to abuse of office

Former Fijian leader Frank Bainimarama has been released on bail and said he “served with integrity,” after pleading not guilty to abusing his power as prime minister by stopping a police investigation.

“I served as prime minister with integrity and with the interests of all Fijians at heart,” he told reporters outside a courtroom in Suva on Friday.

The charges, announced on Thursday by the country’s top prosecutor, relate to a complaint to police made by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019 regarding the activities of former university staff members.

The suspended police commissioner, Sitiveni Tukaituraga Qiliho, was also charged with abuse of office and pleaded not guilty. He was also bailed, according to local media.

“The former prime minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, and the suspended police commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho, are alleged to have arbitrarily and in abuse of the authority of their respective offices, terminated an active police investigation,” chief prosecutor Christopher Pryde said.

“The police have also been requested to undertake further investigations into other matters arising from this case and more charges may be laid against other suspects in due course.”

The two men were taken in for questioning again on Thursday and spent the night in custody.

The development adds another twist to the volatile political situation on the Pacific nation.

Bainimarama, 68, had led Fiji since taking power in a bloodless coup in 2006. He was replaced as prime minister following a closely contested general election last December.

In February, parliament suspended Bainimarama until 2026 after a speech in which he criticised his successor, Sitiveni Rabuka, and president Wiliame Katonivere.

In announcing the charges, Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Sakeo Raikaci said he also wanted to “clear the air” over claims by the public that the investigation had been prolonged and subject to interference by senior officers.

“I want to reiterate the independence of the investigation processes in place, as what is being witnessed is not an attempt to purposely delay the investigation or questioning processes, but this is the proper manner in which investigations are to be conducted,” Raikaci said in a statement.

With Associated Press