Fiji Times Online

Fiji Time: 9:42 PM on Friday 30 July

/ Front page / News

Court powerless on Ratu Iloilo, says QC

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

THE High Court has no jurisdiction to decide on political questions including decisions made by the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, between December, 2006 and January 2007.

The lawyer representing the Republic of Fiji, Guy Reynolds, said the actions of the President obviously involved political judgments of various kinds.

He said the executive power exercised in areas of national security was a question that could not be determined by the court.

Mr Reynolds said the crown which the President represented had the prerogative to take necessary steps regarding the state in imminent danger and necessity.

"The crown alone must be the judge of precise emergency and when it is necessary to exercise for example in a time of war against foreign power," said Mr Reynolds.

He submitted there was a civil constitutional crisis from December 2006 to January 2007 which should not be referred to as a coup.

Mr Reynolds said an emergency situation justified the use of the President's reserve power in trying times.

He said the country was at a cross roads and the actions by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was valid in law and necessary to move the government forward as indicated in the President's address to the nation in early 2007.

He said the President granted unconditional immunity to the RFMF for eradicating corruption and retrieving an honest path for the government which was part of his extraordinary powers.

"What else was there for the President to do, when Parliament was dissolved, Qarase's government was ineffective as he was in Lau and there was a vacuum in government's machinery," he said.

Mr Reynolds said the actions of the President did not consolidate a revolution and should therefore be appreciated.

He said the President had validated Commodore Bainimarama's actions so there was no utility in deciding whether his actions were contrary to law.

"That cannot be questioned because the President has prerogative powers," said Mr Reynolds.

He said there was only one interim government in place and that Qarase's government no longer existed.

"When the President exercised his extraordinary powers to appoint an interim regime to take Fiji to the next general election the previous ministerial positions were terminated," said Mr Reynolds.

He said the very fact that Qarase's ministers had received pensions amounted to resignation from office and acceptance that their roles had ceased.

"If a minister accepted his admission whether or not it was constitutional, the dismissal took effect when the pension was applied," said Mr Reynolds.

He said it could not be possible for Mr Qarase and his Cabinet ministers to resume office because it served no useful purpose. "It will be disruptive and will stabilise what the President is doing in the interim Government. It will not be productive and will not be in the interest of the President to undermine the interim government."

Mr Reynolds said there was no excuse for Mr Qarase's delay in filing for an injunction immediately after the takeover as that action did not allow the President an alternative but to announce an interim government to run the affairs of the State until the next election.

ANZ
Currency Inward TT Buying Rate Sell Rate
GBP3-week history 0.33560.3276
CAD3-week history 0.54660.5246
AUD3-week history 0.58680.5618
EUR3-week history 0.40190.3899
JPY3-week history 46.450043.4500
NZD3-week history 0.73060.6976
USD3-week history 0.52630.5093

from

$00.00

“This material is for information purposes only,provided as a complimentary service of ANZ. To the extent permitted by law, ANZ does not accept any responsibility/liability arising from the use of this information. For any assistance or enquiries call the ANZ Contact Centre, Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm on 132411 (within Fiji) or 679 3213000 (overseas) or email Electronic Business - Fiji.”

Today's Most Read Stories

  1. Drug charge for boxing champion
  2. Dress your best today
  3. Robbers sell at centre
  4. Serevi attends 7s clinic
  5. Who's that hero
  6. Expressions of interest for Fiji Times
  7. Primary school fees escalate
  8. Life lesson at sea
  9. FSC investigates
  10. Prison human rights issue

Top Stories this Week

  1. Hosanna wins Miss Congeniality Monday (26 Jul)
  2. Man found dead Wednesday (28 Jul)
  3. Jasperian beauty in shock Monday (26 Jul)
  4. 11-year hunt for woman ends Tuesday (27 Jul)
  5. Tax officers on charges Wednesday (28 Jul)
  6. Chaudhry charged Saturday (24 Jul)
  7. Dad digs riches Wednesday (28 Jul)
  8. Sand theft Thursday (29 Jul)
  9. Hosanna wants Fiji job Wednesday (28 Jul)
  10. Sons finally control Amos' estate Thursday (29 Jul)