Police Chat Photo Probe Grips Court
Former Officer Testifies on Photo Sharing Amidst Allegations
A former police team leader, Penieli Ratei, detailed the circulation of a photograph of Jonacani Bainimarama, brother of the former Prime Minister, within a police Viber group during a Suva High Court hearing.
Photo Shared Without Custody
Ratei testified that he directed Officer Timoci Naulu to capture the image and distribute it among approximately 30 officers. The photo was captioned “known transporter,” despite Bainimarama not being in custody and no evidence being found during a search.
Past Practices and New Directives
The former Nabua Police Station team leader stated that the then-Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho was aware of the group’s existence. He claimed such information sharing was common practice until a later directive prohibited it, and he did not believe it violated protocol at the time.
Ratei also mentioned learning of Jonacani Bainimarama‘s relation to the former Prime Minister only after the incident. He noted the initial tip came from the Narcotics Bureau, and prior searches had generated suspicion.
Dismissal and Reinstatement
The witness recounted being charged and placed on interdiction the day after the photo was posted. Ratei alleged that Qiliho mandated a show cause letter with a same-day deadline, leading to his dismissal without explicit reason.
He pursued an appeal, filed for judicial review, and declined early settlement offers due to concerns of continued discrimination. Following Qiliho‘s suspension, Ratei accepted an out-of-court settlement and was reinstated with full pay.
Cross-Examination and Allegations
Under cross-examination, Ratei admitted he did not believe his actions caused harm. He reiterated that such photo sharing was a regular practice until Acting Commissioner Tudravu issued a clear ban.
The prosecution’s case alleges that Bainimarama and Qiliho exerted improper pressure on then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to terminate two police officers. It is further claimed that Bainimarama, as Prime Minister, threatened Tudravu with resignation if the officers were not dismissed.
Additionally, it is alleged that Qiliho, in his capacity as Commissioner of Police, later misused his authority by overriding Tudravu’s disciplinary decision and terminating both officers’ employment.
In Fiji, judicial processes often involve detailed examination of conduct within public institutions. For instance, a 2023 report by Transparency International Fiji highlighted the importance of adherence to protocols in maintaining public trust in law enforcement agencies.
Trial Continues
The trial is scheduled to resume this afternoon, with further testimonies expected.
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