State meets Malimali’s legal team as $2 million claim and apology demands surface

Sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali’s legal counsel, Tanya Waqanika met with Solicitor General, Ropate Green’s team this morning as the State tries to make an out of court settlement in relation to the case taken to court by Malimali against the President, Prime Minister and Attorney General after Malimali’s sacking.

Waqanika confirms the State lawyers contacted them again last night to arrange a meeting for this morning.

She says her client is seeking close to $2 million in damages, stating that Malimali’s career has been “thrown down the drain.”

Waqanika adds that her client is also expecting apologies from the Prime Minister, the President, and David Ashton-Lewis.

While leaving the meeting venue today, she said they will be waiting for the letter from the State later today.

Malimali and the State counsel representing the President, Prime Minister and the Attorney General have been given time until 3pm this Friday by High Court Judge, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere to reach an out of court settlement or he will rule on the application for leave for a judicial review on Monday.

It was said in the High Court yesterday that the State needed more time and wanted an adjournment to discuss settlement with Malimali’s counsel.

Malimali has filed the case against the President, Prime Minister, and Attorney General after her sacking.

She is arguing that the President did not act under the Constitution after sacking her following the advice of the Prime Minister.

Under the Constitution, this can be done only after advice from the Judicial Services Commission.

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