JSC defends appointment

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) Chair and Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo has defended the appointment of Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Barbara Malimlai.

Mr Temo said it ‘will let the law follow its cause’.

Ms Malimali is currently under active investigation by FICAC for abuse of office when she was the chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

“As of now, she has not been charged and like every citizen of this country, is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Mr Temo said.

“The fact that the arrest and detention of Ms Malimali was carried out by Ms Puleiwai, an unsuccessful candidate for the Commissioner’s post, makes the whole allegations suspect.”

Mr Temo said the substantial post had been vacant since the resignation of Rashmi Aslam of Sri Lanka, on August 30, 2023.

Mr Temo revealed that JSC, after interviewing Francis Puleiwai, a former FICAC prosecutor who was then working in Nauru, recommended her appointment as Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, after consulting the Attorney-General, on November 8, 2023.

Advertisement

On June 15, 2024, the Commissioner’s position was advertised.

Mr Temo said fifteen applicants applied for the top job and they concluded that there was a need to re-advertise the position again as JSC was looking for a credible experienced litigation lawyer.

“We re-advised on 13 July 2024. Eight more applications were received. Six applicants were short-listed,” he said.

“A panel consisting of the Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, Acting Permanent Secretary of Justice/ Solicitor-General Ropate Green and Acting Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola interviewed the 6 shortlisted applicants on 20 and 21 August 2024.”

Mr Temo said Attorney-General Graham Leung was consulted on Monday, September 2 and by Wednesay, September 4 the JSC recommended to the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, that Ms Malimali be given the post.

Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj