Opposition: PM and President failing to act on Chief Justice crisis

The Opposition has accused Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of failing in their duty to act on the controversy surrounding Chief Justice Salesi Temo.

A Commission of Inquiry (COI) report recommended Justice Temo’s removal, citing serious allegations including perjury and obstructing justice.

Instead of stepping aside, he has challenged the findings in court, the opposition said.

As head of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Justice Temo is leading the legal challenge himself — a move the Opposition says represents a “profound conflict of interest.”

“This makes a mockery of the justice system and erodes public trust in its fairness. He is using the law to shield himself from accountability under the law,” the Opposition said in a statement.

They added that the Prime Minister and President were placing “personal and customary loyalties above the Constitution,” warning that the integrity of national institutions was at stake.

“The rule of law must prevail, and our leaders must fulfill their constitutional duty. This is bigger than one man — it is about the very foundations of our nation,” the statement said.