‘Do justice, not just win cases,’ A-G Turaga tells prosecutors at ODPP conference

The Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General, Hon. Siromi Turaga, has reminded prosecutors that their foremost duty is to “do justice”, not merely pursue convictions, as he closed the 2025 ODPP Annual Prosecution Conference at the Crowne Plaza in Nadi today.

“You walk into courtrooms not with weapons, but with truth. Your job is not to win cases, but to do justice,” Mr Turaga told senior prosecutors, regional counterparts, and justice sector partners who gathered over two days under the theme “Redefining Prosecution in the Modern Courtroom.”

In his closing remarks, he praised Fiji’s prosecution fraternity for its courage, resilience, and commitment to maintaining a justice system rooted in integrity.

He said the conference had been a space of ideas, courage, and conviction, reflecting a shared determination to modernise prosecution work amid global and digital challenges.

Across the two-day program, participants examined key issues including advocacy skills, the impact of technology on evidence and courtroom practice, expert evidence standards, hybrid civil–criminal prosecutions, and the role of the media in upholding the rule of law.

Mr Turaga also reiterated the long-standing principle that “justice delayed is justice denied,” urging collective action to reduce delays and uphold the rights of victims and communities.

Strengthening regional prosecution partnerships

A major highlight of the final day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Fiji, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Solomon Islands. The agreement strengthens cooperation in training, sharing of best practices, and regional collaboration.

Mr Turaga acknowledged the presence of the Solomon Islands delegation, including Permanent Secretary for Justice George Hoa’au and Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Kelesi, saying regional partnerships were crucial as Pacific nations face evolving forms of crime.

He stressed that the Pacific’s traditional values of solesolevaki and duavata must continue to guide cooperation.