Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho will be sentenced next Thursday.

The state and defence lawyers provided submissions during the appeal hearing before Acting Chief Justice, Justice Salesi Temo.

State Counsel Laisani Tabuakuro in her submission says the case warrants a custodial sentence, meaning the two should go to jail. 

She adds an absolute discharge for Bainimarama and conditional discharge with a fine of $1500 for Qiliho by Suva Magistrate Seini Puamau were rewards. 

Tabuakuro argues that the sentences handed by Magistrate Puamau breached Fiji’s sentencing practises. 

Meanwhile, Defence Counsel Devanesh Sharma asked the court to consider the provisions of the law used by Magistrate Puamau when sentencing the duo. 

He argued that the sentence was not invalid as Magistrate Puamau used provisions in the law that was not often used by the Courts in Fiji. 

Sharma also asked the court to show mercy to them.

More on our major bulletin at 6pm this evening.