THE counsel assisting the Commission of Inquiry (COI) hearing into Barbara Malimali’s appointment as Commissioner Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Janet Mason, says they expect a decision from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on the opinion of the King’s Counsel once Mr Rabuka arrives in the country today.
Last weekend, King’s Counsel Philip Joseph, a professor from New Zealand, had given his legal opinion to the Commission that the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) may have the power to suspend Ms Malimali.
The Commission had sent his legal opinion to the Prime Minister and President.
“There are discussions ongoing,” Ms Mason said.
“It’s been difficult because the prime minister hasn’t been here, but he’s arriving back in Fiji tomorrow (today).
“So, we expect that there will be some further discussions tomorrow (today) and Friday.”
Meanwhile, she said they expected to finish interviewing the main witnesses by the end of today.
“So, we’ve had Ms Barbara Malimali on today (yesterday), and she’ll be on tomorrow (today) as well.
“We haven’t quite finished with her.
“And then we’ll be done with the main witnesses. She’s the last one of the main witnesses.
“And then, we’ve got the recall witnesses maybe next week.”
