THE Judicial Services Commission (JSC) will take all necessary steps to expedite the resolution of matters relating to Barbara Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner on or before March 31.
JSC secretary Tomasi Bainivalu said in a statement that it met yesterday to discuss the High Court ruling that declared Ms Malimali’s removal by the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, unlawful.
“The JSC, after extensive deliberations at its meeting today (February 4), has resolved to invite Ms Malimali and her counsel, the Solicitor-General as representative of the State, and Mr Valenitabua for the Honourable Prime Minister, to consider their views on compliance with the orders of the High Court,” Mr Bainivalu said.
He said thereafter, the JSC, in consultation with the Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, would make its own independent recommendations to the President on the outcome of the judgment, ensuring that all matters relating to Ms Malimali are settled before the end of March.
Ms Malimali, a lawyer and former Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, was appointed to head the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption on September 5, 2024.
She filed her judicial review in June last year after her removal on sparked debate over presidential powers and the independence of the anti-corruption watchdog.
Present at the JSC meeting were Chief Justice Salesi Temo, Chief Registrar Tomasi Bainivalu, and permanent secretary for Justice Selina Kuruleca. The meeting commenced at 2.30pm and concluded at 5.40pm.
