On March 14, 2024, Frank Bainimarama, the former Prime Minister of Fiji, was found guilty of corruption. During his tenure as Fiji’s prime minister in July 2020, he halted a police investigation into alleged misconduct by staff at the University of the South Pacific.
After pleading not guilty to allegations of abusing his power as prime minister, he was released on bail in March 2023, awaiting the outcome of his trial.
The State lodged eight grounds of appeal, primarily contending that the Magistrate had made legal and factual errors on various evidential and procedural matters, leading to an unjust trial and an incorrect verdict.
Consequently, the high court overturned the Magistrate’s decision, hence charging him with an attempt to pervert the course of justice. Bainimarama is facing up to five years in jail.
