Bainimarama writes to President complaining about COC decision on Saneem and quotes Saneem’s response to the commission

The FijiFirst and the Leader of Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama have released their letter to the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere on January 19th this year where Bainimarama highlighted alleged anomalies within the Constitutional Offices Commission relating to the former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem.

The FijiFirst facebook post says Bainimarama has not received a response to his letter from the President.

In the letter, Bainimarama had said he was available to address the President further on issues relating to the commission’s decision regarding Saneem should Ratu Wiliame have any questions or require further clarification.

The FijiFirst Leader claims in his letter to the President that the Prime Minister who is the commission Chair, and the Prime Minister’s nominees on the commission, Jon Apted and Cema Bolabola had an alleged conflict of interest.

Bainimarama also quoted Mohammed Saneem’s response to the Constitutional Offices Commission denying the allegations of misbehaviour where he had also said that Rabuka, Apted and Bolabola were conflicted in dealing with the complaint against Saneem.

The FijiFirst Leader urged the President to look into the matter, as any advice to the President that flows from such decision making will compromise his office and the President himself.

Attorney General, Siromi Turaga confirmed last Tuesday that he met with the President to give an update on certain matters and briefed the President on the importance of only getting legal advice from the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Turaga says he briefed the President that he must accept legal opinions from the AG’s Chambers, and not from an outside source.

He says no other law firm should be advising on any other matters and if he is in doubt, the Attorney General’s Chambers is open 24 hours to assist the President.

The Attorney General says lessons have been learnt from the 2000 and 2006 coups where the assault on the President’s Office took place.

He says the President should not be taking legal advice from the former Attorney General, the former Prime Minister or from the FijiFirst Party.

When questioned by fijivillage News, Turaga says the former government maybe trying to meet the President.

However Turaga says according to the Constitution and the law, any issues dealing with government affairs are to be dealt with by the coalition government and it’s head, Sitiveni Rabuka.

When asked on whether the Leader of the Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama complained about the Constitutional Offices Commission to the President, the Attorney General says obviously the Commission will be notified and that matter will be discussed in their meeting.