A Judicial Services Commission meeting is underway to discuss Barbara Malimali's removal as FICAC Commissioner and the appointment of Lavi Rokoika as Acting Commissioner.
JSC members present in the meeting include Chair Chief Justice Salesi Temo, President of the Court of Appeal Isikeli Mataitoga and Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu.
Three members make up the JSC quorum.
They are currently meeting Malimali's counsel Tanya Waqanika.
Malimali was dismissed and Rokoika was appointed without the JSC's recommendation.
The JSC had said last month that it will make decisions by the end of March regarding Malimali whose dismissal as FICAC Commissioner was declared unlawful by the High Court.
fijivillage News has been sending a number of questions to the JSC members however they have not responded.
We have also asked whether they are looking at the allegations levelled against Rokoika which has also been reported to the JSC and the Legal Practitioners Unit.
These allegations have been sent by a whistleblower within FICAC as well.
For their last scheduled meeting in Suva, the JSC could not reach a quorum.
Chief Registrar and JSC Secretary, Tomasi Bainivalu had said they will have a meeting at the end of the month.
The JSC is supposed to meet after giving their recommendations to the President that the Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika should leave her office as she was not legally appointed.
President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has not acted on it.
We have also asked the President to clarify to the people of Fiji on when he will act on the recommendations of the JSC.
We have been informed that the President has asked the JSC to include a severance payout for Rokoika and an opportunity for her to reapply for the FICAC post.
This question has also been posed to the President.
The President has not made any comments.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has appealed the High Court ruling of Justice Dane Tuiqereqere which had declared the dismissal of Malimali as FICAC Commissioner unlawful.
Rabuka is also asking in the appeal for the status quo to remain which includes Rokoika to remain as the Acting FICAC Commissioner.
Stay with us for developments.
