Decision to suspend will come from JSC - PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the decision to suspend any public office holders will have to come from the Judicial Services Commission because it involves some of those who are appointed by the Commission.

Rabuka highlighted this while responding to questions in relation to a complaint regarding a photo published by the Ministry of Justice showing FICAC Acting Commissioner Barbara Malimali, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga socialising together.

Malimali and Turaga are being investigated by Fiji Police and FICAC respectively.

It was earlier highlighted that John Rabuku had assessed the complaint file of Barbara Malimali which was then forwarded to the CID for further investigation.

Rabuka says they will have to await the decision before they can suspend those who are implicated.

He says following the suspension, an investigation will be done and give recommendations to JSC to terminate or reinstate those implicated.

The complainant, Alexandra Forwood says the event was held for the Ministry of Justice from Japan, and whilst it is understood that it is a dignities event, the subjects in question are under investigation namely, Siromi Turaga and Barbara Malimali by both Fiji Police and FICAC.

Decision to suspend will come from JSC - PM

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It was earlier highlighted that John Rabuku had assessed the complaint file of Barbara Malimali which was then forwarded to the CID for further investigation.

This is after Malimali’s file was forwarded to the Office of the DPP by FICAC.

The complainant says such socialising is like the case of suspended DPP, Christopher Pryde where he was suspended for allegedly socialising with the former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Forwood says she noted that the Prime Minister mentioned that a report could be lodged and as such she is taking that suggestion up to determine whether the Judicial Service Commission will act on the complaint given the public outcry.

We have sent questions to Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo.