Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to meet with the President today after Cabinet discussions regarding a recent High Court ruling concerning the dismissal of former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali. This meeting follows a Cabinet session where Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya confirmed that the Solicitor-General provided guidance on the High Court’s decision and the potential legal options available to the Prime Minister.
The High Court has ruled that Malimali’s removal was unlawful, but the ruling did not mandate her reinstatement or award any damages, leaving those decisions to be determined by the Judicial Services Commission.
Minister Tabuya expressed respect for the High Court’s ruling, stating, “We respect the decision of the High Court. And of course, we will be able to access what is legally available to the Honorable Prime Minister in terms of the appeal process. The appeal process is going to take some time.” She noted that the Prime Minister has a window of up to 41 days to decide on whether to appeal the ruling.
Additionally, the Cabinet reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and the importance of maintaining the separation of powers, emphasizing that the Judicial Services Commission operates independently of the Executive and will evaluate the matter in its own time. The government has affirmed its intent to follow the proper legal channels and await the Judicial Services Commission’s decisions before determining further actions.
This situation highlights the complexities of legal governance and offers hope that the rule of law will prevail, fostering trust in the judicial system and its processes.