In 2024, a man was jailed for a verbal nudge, now in 2026, the current Prime Minister executed a formal, documented, and illegal removal of a constitutional officer, bypassing the Judicial Services Commission entirely.
Opposition MP, Jone Usamate has raised this while commenting on the High Court ruling that the dismissal of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner was unlawful.
Usamate says the funny thing about legal precedent is that it does not care about your feelings, once you set a standard to bury your opponent, you have already dug your own grave.
He says in 2024, the government cheered when Voreqe Bainimarama was sent to jail for a private conversation, a "suggestion" to stay away from a file.
Usamate says they sharpened that sword themselves, and now, that same sword is at their own throats.
The Opposition MP says he looks at the facts, and the High Court has ruled that Prime Minister Rabuka acted unlawfully and beyond his powers by terminating Barbara Malimali.
He says the Prime Minister says, "This one I made on my own."
Usamate says he takes him at his word, he made the decision alone, he broke the law alone, and if we are to respect the 2024 precedent, he must face the consequences alone.
Usamate says the law is a straight line, and if you cannot walk it, you have no business leading the march.
Meanwhile Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka will assess the presentation and options given by Solicitor General, Ropate Green, and also await the Judicial Services Commission's decisions, after the High Court ruling that the dismissal of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner was unlawful.
Minister for Information, Lynda Tabuya says the Prime Minister has asked to be given a few days to consider the possibilities of the way forward, and an appeal is available to the Prime Minister as is the process that is available to any citizen of the country.
The Judicial Services Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Salesi Temo, is expected to meet on the FICAC Commissioner issue today.
Stay with us for developments.
