Commission of Inquiry cases deferred for further affidavits

Three civil cases arising from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) have been deferred to Friday after the High Court said it was still awaiting affidavits from some parties.

Former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption commissioner Barbara Malimali, Fiji Law Society president Wylie Clarke, former president Laurel Vaurasi and former Attorney-General Graham Leung are challenging aspects of the COI report, which implicated them.

They have also taken President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Attorney-General to court over their removal.

The parties appeared before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere yesterday afternoon, with the matters initially expected to progress towards judgment.

However, Justice Tuiqereqere said he was still waiting for affidavits from other parties.

He said while the outstanding affidavits were not crucial to compiling his judgment, they were relevant and would be helpful.

Justice Tuiqereqere advised the parties to expect a lengthy judgment.

The matters will be called again on Friday afternoon.