High Court to hear the State's appeal against Bainimarama and Qiliho's sentences next Wednesday

High Court to hear the State's appeal against Bainimarama and Qiliho's sentences next Wednesday

By Vijay Narayan , Rashika Kumar
Friday 29/03/2024
Former PM Voreqe Bainimarama and Suspended COMPOL Sitiveni Qiliho

The prosecution's appeal against the sentence of the former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho will be heard in the Suva High Court next Wednesday.

fijivillage News has received confirmation that the High Court will hear the appeal next week.

Bainimarama was granted absolute discharge in the University of the South Pacific case by Magistrate Seini Puamau while Qiliho has been fined $1,500 and this has to be paid within 30 days and failure to do that will result in 30 days imprisonment.

Magistrate Puamau announced that both their convictions would not be registered.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku says the sentence delivered by Magistrate Puamau is unsatisfactory, is wrong both in fact and in law and does not reflect the considerations and tariff of cases or matters of similar nature.

The State has filed four grounds of appeal.

These are that the sentence imposed by the Magistrate against Bainimarama and Qiliho are manifestly lenient and in breach of sentencing principles, case laws and the tariff set in other similar matters and offences.

They say Magistrate Puamau erred in law and in fact when she made a finding that there were no aggravating factors against both of them.

The Acting DPP says the Magistrate erred in law and in fact in considering irrelevant factors in sentencing and that Magistrate Puamau erred in law and in fact when she made a finding that there was no victim and that the offending was a technical breach by Bainimarama and Qiliho.

The Notice of Appeal against the sentence was filed in the High Court yesterday.

FEATURE NEWS
Ireland thrashes Fiji 52-17
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians lost to Ireland 52 -17 in the Autumn Test Series this morning. The Irish side scored eight tries to two. Irish cap...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Hilton Special School hosts walk-a-thon to raise $13,000 for safer walkways
In a collective effort to enhance safety and accessibility, Hilton Special School’s 13 classes organized a walk-a-thon fundraiser with the goal of ...
15 hours ago

Consumer Council warns food establishments after hair found in food
The Consumer Council of Fiji has reminded food establishments to adhere to proper hygiene practices after a consumer found hair in a meal purchased ...
15 hours ago

Rabuka says some senior officials at Dept of Immigration suspended, no word on Tikoduadua stepping aside
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there has been some suspension of senior officials in relation to the Department of Immigration's possible ...
17 hours ago

Passport was issued legally - Grace Road
Grace Road Group says the passport issued to their member’s son was done legally as he is born in Fiji. This comes as an investigation is ...
17 hours ago

Police seek assistance in locating 34-year-old Senikarawa Vakarua
Police are seeking assistance in locating 34-year-old Senikarawa Vakarua who was reported missing at the Nasinu Police Station. Vakarua was last ...
17 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
9 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
9 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
16 days ago

TOP