Fiji Court

The charge being brought against Bainimarama is attempting to pervert the course of justice and Qiliho is facing one count of abuse of office.

The allegations are related to a complaint filed by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019 concerning the actions of former staff members of the regional university.

According to the public prosecution office, Bainimarama and Qiliho are alleged to have arbitrarily and in abuse of the authority of their respective offices directed for the termination of an active investigation.

According to an overnight statement from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Fijian police seized the 106m vessel yesterday at the request of American authorities.

Among the five are Tongan students Ioane Moala and Manu Makuhoa.

Fijivillage reports the students pleaded guilty to a charge each of failure to comply with order under the Public Health Act.

They were drinking alcohol on 11 April in a flat at Laucala Bay in Suva.

The Chief Magistrate has ordered the 5 University of the South Pacific students to pay a fine of $200 each within a month and failure to pay the fine will result in the 5 in spending 20 days in prison.

Chief Magistrate Ratuvili also released each student on $500 bail.