DPP files appeal against Bainimarama and Qiliho’s acquittal

The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku has filed an appeal against the acquittal of the former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho.

Bainimarama was charged with one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho was charged with one count of abuse of office.

They were found not guilty and acquitted accordingly by the Suva Magistrates Court last month.

The ODPP says the State’s grounds of appeal centres around the opinion that the Magistrate erred in law and in fact on several evidentiary and procedural issues, thereby resulting in an unfair trial and an erroneous verdict.

They say the State has filed eight grounds of appeal and reserves the right to amend, add or delete any grounds of appeal at the receipt of the court record.

The Notice of Appeal against the acquittal was filed in the Suva High Court yesterday afternoon.