Acting A-G calls on Opposition Leader to stop commenting on COI case

Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has urged Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu to refrain from making public comments about the Commission of Inquiry report, warning that the matter is before the courts.

In a statement issued today, Mr Turaga said any commentary on the case at this stage was “inappropriate and undermines the independence of the courts and the integrity of the ongoing judicial process.”

“We therefore request Hon. Seruiratu to refrain from making further statements on this matter and to allow the judicial process to take its proper course without external interference,” he said.

Mr Turaga’s comments come after media reports carried remarks from the Opposition Leader regarding the Commission of Inquiry’s findings.

Yesterday, the Opposition called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to immediately advise the President to suspend the Chief Justice, saying his failure to act on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations has plunged Fiji into a deepening judicial and constitutional crisis.

Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu said the Prime Minister’s indecision following the COI into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner has allowed the situation to “descend into chaos,” triggering multiple legal challenges now before the High Court.

“Despite the COI’s clear recommendations, the Prime Minister has failed to exercise his constitutional responsibility to advise the President to suspend the Chief Justice pending the outcome of appropriate processes,” Mr Seruiratu said.