Turaga stopped from commenting on $2B meth case in Parliament

Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga was stopped from making any comments in Parliament today on the recent conviction of Justin Ho and 8 others in the $2 billion methamphetamine case.

Opposition MP Jone Usamate raised a point of order before Turaga could deliver his ministerial statement.

Usamate said the matter is still before the court and the sentencing has not taken place.

Usamate said it is not something that Parliament should be speaking about.

Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko questioned Turaga what his statement would be about to which he had responded that he had two – one about the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and the other about the rule of law and the role of public prosecution in combating drugs.

Turaga said it is not about any specific case before the court.

The Speaker had allowed that unless there is a specific case Turaga will refer to.

Usamate then stood up again and said the title of the statement was in relation to the Justin Ho case and again pointed out that the sentencing has not been completed in this case.

The 9 accused persons charged in relation to the 4.1 plus tonnes of methamphetamine bust in Nadi have been found guilty by the Lautoka High Court, and their sentence hearing will take place on Friday. Justin Ho, David Heritage, Louie Logaivau, Jale Aukerea, Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Ratu Osea Levula, Cathy Tuirabe and Viliame Colawaliku were charged with the importation and possession of 4.1 plus tonnes of methamphetamine between November 2023 and January 2024 in Nadi.

Meanwhile, Turaga addressed Parliament on the historic ICJ advisory opinion, affirming that climate change imposes binding legal obligations on states under international law, including human rights law and customary law.

He says Fiji, which made strong oral and written submissions to the ICJ, highlighted its vulnerability to climate impacts despite contributing just 0.004 percent to global emissions.

The Acting Attorney General says the ruling empowers small island nations to demand accountability and reparations from major emitters and supports legal action and stronger climate policies.

Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu also welcomed the decision, urging Fiji to uphold its responsibilities while using this ruling to push for climate finance and protection through Pacific-wide cooperation.