SUVA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Suva court has acquitted Fiji's former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama of charges related to perverting the course of justice, local media reported.
Bainimarama was charged with one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho was charged with one count of abuse of office.
Suva Magistrate Seini Puamau on Thursday asserted that the State failed to establish a compelling case against Bainimarama, particularly in proving allegations that he had advised Qiliho to cease an ongoing investigation involving the University of the South Pacific (USP).
Qiliho, who faced charges in connection with this case, has also been declared not guilty by Puamau.
These charges were initially triggered by a complaint lodged by USP in July 2019, centered on the behavior of former staff members. ■
