Prime Minister and Constitutional Offices Commission Chair Sitiveni Rabuka

Prime Minister and Constitutional Offices Commission Chair Sitiveni Rabuka says all complaints against constitutional office holders will be dealt with by the Constitutional Offices Commission.

He further adds that during its meetings on 18th and 26th January last year, they considered serious complaints of abuse of office made against certain former constitutional officers including the former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, former Commissioner of Corrections Francis Kean and the currently suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho.

He says these individuals were provided an opportunity to respond to the allegations following which the COC deliberated on whether, based on the allegations made, the question of their removal ought to be investigated.

He says in this case the COC was required to appoint a tribunal in accordance with section 137(3)(a) of the Constitution.

Rabuka says a tribunal appointed will be required to enquire into the matter and provide its written report to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.

He says in the case of Saneem, the COC received a complaint against him which had not been dealt with by the former COC members.

He says on 6th January 2023, the complaint was forwarded to Saneem to provide any necessary responses before the COC decided on whether to appoint a tribunal to investigate the complaints.

Saneem responded on to the complaint, and his responses were brought before the COC.

The COC after considering the complaints and the response provided by Saneem, agreed to refer the allegations to a tribunal composed of Justice Filimone Jitoko as chairperson, Justice William Calanchini, and former Judge Jiten Singh.

Rabuka says on the advice of the COC, the President suspended Saneem pending the referral to and appointment of the tribunal.

However, he says before the tribunal could conduct its work, Saneem resigned as Supervisor of Elections bringing the matter to an end.

In the case of Kean, the COC received five complaints.

On 18 January 2023, these complaints were forwarded to Kean to provide any necessary responses before the COC decided on whether to appoint a tribunal to investigate the complaints.

Rabuka says Kean responded to the complaints, and his responses were brought before the COC.

He adds that the COC agreed to refer the complaints of misbehaviour to a tribunal to enquire into the complaints and provide its report to the President.

However, he says Kean tendered his resignation letter and therefore there was no need to proceed with the tribunal proceedings.

In the case of Qiliho, three separate complaints of misbehaviour were lodged against him.

The COC Chair says they agreed to refer those complaints of misbehaviour to a tribunal to enquire into the complaints and provide its report to the President.

The COC also agreed to recommend the suspension of Qiliho to the President which is still in place.

Rabuka says in recent weeks, complaints against constitutional office holders have been in the limelight.

Rabuka says the officers will be given the opportunity to respond before the commission makes any further decisions in accordance with the 2013 Constitution.

He says he expects an update on these issues at the COC meeting on April 29th.

The COC Chair says he will then update the parliament and the people of Fiji on the work of the Commission.