Malimali hopes to be reinstated

“It was a very good meeting.”

That was the response from former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner Barbara Malimali and her lawyer, Tanya Waqanika, as they left the Judges’ Chambers yesterday afternoon.

The two met with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to discuss Malimali’s position following a High Court ruling earlier this month. The court found that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s advice to the President to remove her from office was unlawful.

Malimali, along with other senior officials, was implicated in the 2024 Commission of Inquiry report relating to her tenure as commissioner.

Prime Minister Rabuka’s lawyer, Simione Valenitabua, and Solicitor-General Ropate Green were also present at the meeting.

Interest remains high, as the outcome could also affect the position of Acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika.

The meeting began at about 2.30pm and concluded at about 6.30pm.

Earlier, before the meeting, Waqanika told the media they hoped her client would be reinstated as FICAC commissioner.

In a statement released after the meeting, JSC secretary Tomasi Bainivalu said all parties agreed to meet again on March 25. A final decision is expected on or by March 31.