Commission appoints tribunal to investigate Qiliho

The Constitutional Offices Commission has appointed a tribunal in relation to the allegations of misbehaviour against the suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho.

Folllowing the Constitutional Offices Commission meeting earlier today, Prime Minister and Commission Chair Sitiveni Rabuka says he cannot divulge the name of the 3-member tribunal as it is confidential.

He says the Commission resolved that the Secretariat draft the gazette notice constituting the tribunal and their Terms of Reference.

Rabuka also confirms that the Commission passed the resolution that former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem be paid as per the allowances and entitlement provided for in the contract dated the 16th of February 2021.

He says they also resolved that the Acting Supervisor of Elections be paid as per the allowance entitlement provided in the contract of service of Saneem.

Rabuka says this is the same contract that was dated the 16th of February 2021.

He says they also resolved that the draft advertisement for the position of Supervisor will be circulated over the next seven days to 14th of July and the Commission members to thereafter consider the recommendations in the following seven days and for the Commission to deliberate on the 28th of July.

The Prime Minister also says resolutions passed by the Commission today state that former Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Francis Keen be paid the allowances and entitlements provided in a contract dated the 27th of September 2021.

The Commission has also appointed an independent selection panel for the recruitment of the Auditor General.

They include Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation outgoing CEO Kameli Batiweti, Investment Fiji Chair Jenny Seeto and Neptune Pacific Limited Director Finance Susie Waqanibaravi.

Rabuka says Batiweti will chair the panel.

The Prime Minister says in their deliberations, they found out that there had been some disconnect in the past.

He says they will not blame anyone but are entrusted with the rectification of some of the processes that have taken place in the past.

Rabuka says the motion by the Commission is that the Secretary of the Commission draft the Standard Operating Procedures.

He adds they have found today that some conventions had not been formalised and they would like to have a draft Standard Operating Procedures that they and those who will be succeeding them will have to act on and work in accordance with.