Constitutional test at State House over FICAC removal

A constitutional test is unfolding at State House as pressure mounts on President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.  

He is being urged to act on a recommendation to remove Lavinia Rokoika as Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).  

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) formally submitted its recommendation for Ms Rokoika’s removal on Monday. 

However, highly placed sources say the President has yet to endorse all aspects of that advice, raising questions about the limits of presidential discretion under the 2013 Constitution.  

Section 82 of the Constitution states that the President acts only on the advice of a constitutional body. In the case of FICAC, that body is the JSC.  

Legal observers say any delay or deviation could trigger debate over constitutional interpretation and the separation of powers.  

A source close to the matter said Presidents in the past understood their constitutional role. 

The source further said the recommendation process included legal interpretation and advice before endorsement and there were no time limitations to such processes. 

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, often referred to as the architect of the 2013 Constitution, said any issues relating to the Constitution must be resolved within the ambit of the law.  

“Any issue and/or impasse pertaining to the Constitution, which is the supreme law of land, must only be resolved and determined by giving primacy to the values and principles encompassed in constitutionalism and the rule of law,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.  

“If all relevant entities, institutions and persons did so then it would result in respect for the independence of the different offices, institutions and public officers.  

“If there is any doubt on which steps to take, then all interested parties should obtain sound legal advice and cooperate to achieve a resolution based on the principles of constitutionalism.”  

He said this would be the only logical and altruistic approach from which legal stability would ensue.  

Attempts to get a comment from Ms Rokoika were unsuccessful.