Former prime minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, renowned for his extensive tenure in office spanning over 15 years, has been sentenced to a year in prison for impeding a police investigation into corruption.
Bainimarama, aged 70, holds significant prominence in the Pacific Islands’ political landscape. He served as Fiji’s leader until his electoral defeat in 2022. Internationally, he advocated for climate change action, representing vulnerable Pacific nations on the global stage.
Following the High Court’s ruling on Thursday, Bainimarama was escorted away in handcuffs.
The recent conviction stems from allegations of perverting the course of justice during a police inquiry into fraud at the University of South Pacific in 2020. Prosecutors asserted that Bainimarama instructed his friend, the former Fijian Police Commissioner, to cease the investigation, which involved suspected financial irregularities such as unauthorized bonuses, promotions, and salary increments for university staff.
Despite pleading not guilty, Bainimarama and the police chief, Sitiveni Qiliho, were found by the court in April to have abused their authority to obstruct the university probe. Initially, Bainimarama avoided incarceration when a lower court magistrate decided not to record his conviction during sentencing. However, Fiji’s top prosecutors contested this ruling and filed an appeal.
On Thursday, the high court overturned the lower court’s decision and imposed prison sentences on both men. Qiliho, suspended from his role, received a two-year sentence.
Outside the courtroom, supporters of Bainimarama gathered, singing hymns, while government officials commended the court’s verdict.
“The court case and sentencing shows… that people who break the law, doesn’t matter who they are, they are brought to account,” Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube said.
Political watchers have noted the timing of the criminal cases brought against Bainimarama.
He is facing several allegations of political abuse after losing the tight vote in December 2022 to current PM Sitiveni Rabuka, who led a coalition of parties.
Last year, Bainimarama as an opposition leader was also suspended from parliament for three years after giving a speech where he criticised the new government.
His political party FijiFirst is standing by him. “Bainimarama will continue to be the leader of the FijiFirst party. Come 2026, we will deal with it,” party senior Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said according to local media reports.
Bainimarama, a former military commander, first seized power in Fiji in a 2006 bloodless coup. He retained office through winning democratic elections in 2014 and 2018.