There has been no consideration for an out of court settlement with Barbara Malimali.
Those are the words of Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka today when fijivillage News asked why the State is trying to make an out of court settlement using taxpayers’ money with a demand from sacked FICAC Commissioner, Malimali’s legal counsel amounting to about $2 million.
Although the State counsel held talks at the Attorney General’s Office earlier this week with Malimali’s counsel, Tanya Waqanika after calling Waqanika for out of court settlement talks, Rabuka says there is no out of court settlement.
When asked on why the Attorney General’s Office was having out of court settlement talks knowing the Acting Attorney General and Solicitor General are also named in the Commission of Inquiry report, Rabuka says we should ask them as he did not send them there.
Rabuka adds that at the moment he does not have anyone from within the People’s Alliance from outside parliament that has indicated an interest to become the Attorney General.
He says he does not have to bring anyone from outside as Acting Attorney General, Siromi Turaga is not guilty until it is proven.
Waqanika met with the State counsel on Tuesday.
She said her client was seeking close to $2 million in damages, stating that Malimali’s career has been “thrown down the drain.”
Waqanika added that her client is also expecting apologies from the Prime Minister, the President, and David Ashton-Lewis.
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.
Justice Dane Tuiqereqere is expected to deliver his ruling on the leave for the judicial review into the sacking of Barbara Malimali on Monday.
