Constitutional office holders are independent despite what some political commenters may think, says Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.
Responding to former FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s comments on the independence of Constitutional Offices Commission (COC), Mr Turaga said the Coalition Government was committed to ensuring each office carried out their mandated roles.
“The Constitution provides for the independence of FICAC, which shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person, or authority, except by a court of law or as otherwise prescribed by written law,” Mr Turaga said.
“The independence of FICAC and its ability to perform its functions is evident in its decisions to independently investigate and prosecute public officials without interference (among other things).
“The Constitution provides for the independence of the DPP, who, in the exercise of his constitutional powers, shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority except by a court of law or as otherwise prescribed by this constitution or written law.
“The DPP has exercised his powers independently, which is his constitutional prerogative.”
Mr Turaga said both FICAC and DPP had their respective mandates under the 2013 Constitution and continued to operate independently within the constitutional parameters of their respective mandates.
