Former Fiji PM Bainimarama Convicted of Corruption Charge

Frank Bainimarama, the former Prime Minister of Fiji, was convicted of corruption on October 5, 2023, by the Suva High Court. This ruling marks another significant setback for Bainimarama, who has faced multiple legal challenges since leaving office. He was found guilty of making an unwarranted demand by a public official, becoming the first person in Fiji to receive a conviction under this specific charge, according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The conviction stems from Bainimarama’s actions between May and August 2021, during which he allegedly threatened to remove then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu unless he dismissed two police officers, Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu. The maximum penalty for this offence is up to 12 years in prison. Bainimarama’s case will see further proceedings on October 9 for mitigation and sentencing submissions, with a final sentencing date set for October 14.

The case has drawn considerable attention in Fiji, where Bainimarama previously ruled for 16 years following a military coup in 2006. His political career had seen both a return to democracy through a general election in 2014 and a subsequent re-election in 2018. However, allegations of authoritarianism, including intimidation of opponents and media suppression, have marred his legacy.

In light of his recent conviction, hopes for a political comeback seemed bleak. Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who had suggested earlier this year that Bainimarama might contest the upcoming elections, now faces uncertainty regarding the former Prime Minister’s future in politics. Sayed-Khaiyum claimed that the public desired Bainimarama’s return, but the High Court’s ruling has cast doubt on these assertions.

In the same court proceedings, Justice Thurshara Rajasinghe acquitted former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho of two counts of abuse of office. Qiliho had been accused of improperly terminating the same two police officers but was found not guilty. The prosecution has yet to decide whether to appeal this acquittal.

Bainimarama’s political journey has been tumultuous. After deposing Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in the 2006 coup, he established the FijiFirst Party, which won a landslide victory in the 2014 elections. Despite maintaining power through subsequent elections, cracks in his administration began to show, culminating in a coalition government formed against him in late 2022.

In March 2023, Bainimarama resigned from parliament after receiving a three-year suspension for sedition. He had previously served a one-year sentence for perverting the course of justice, related to obstructing a police investigation involving the University of the South Pacific. Although he was released from prison in November 2022, his legal troubles have continued to mount.

The implications of this conviction extend beyond Bainimarama himself. It raises questions about the integrity of public institutions in Fiji and the ongoing struggle against corruption within the government. As the situation develops, the public and political landscape will be closely monitored, especially leading up to the general elections slated for next year.