Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku has hit back at Attorney-General Graham Leung and Fiji Law Society president Wylie Clarke, while insisting that he will step down from his role as ordered by the Supreme Court last week.
“Both Mr Leung and Mr Clarke are not the Judicial Service Commission,” said Mr Rabuku.
“Their calling for my resignation publicly is an attempt to publicly usurp the JSC’s role in this saga.
“The JSC knows its role and has already worked out with me the way forward after two meetings this week.
“There is a process in place and that process needs to be followed to ensure that the Office of the DPP continues to function at the level it has been functioning under my leadership and my exit is as smooth as possible for the staff and everyone.”
He said whether he agreed or disagreed with the Supreme Court ruling was irrelevant, however, he would adhere to the court’s opinion.
“Importantly, that opinion is not an order for me to vacate my office.
“That is why it was important for me to wait for the JSC to execute the proper processes which have now been put in place, instead of arbitrarily resigning and running the risk of creating unnecessary chaos in a prosecution process, that together as an office, we have tirelessly worked at improving and maintaining in the last few months since my acting appointment.”
He added that it was important as senior lawyers to read and understand what the Supreme Court opinion is in its entirety.
“It is also important as senior lawyers to know your role in the justice system.
“For out of those specific roles and its mandates flows their basis to make public comments on critical issues that affect the legal profession, the justice system, the rule of law and no doubt public opinion. That calls for greater responsibility.”
