Nauru's beleaguered chief justice is denying allegations of cronyism and says New Zealand should consider axing its $600,000 of funding for the Pacific nation's judiciary.
Chief justice Geoffrey Eames is in Australia and unable to return to Nauru after the government cancelled his visa and deported the island's only magistrate, Peter Law.
Nauruan Cabinet minister Charmaine Scotty has accused Mr Eames of cronyism.
Mr Eames told Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint programme on Thursday has never been given any details of the alleged charge.
"I'm appalled by these comments having been made because only yesterday, this minister was one of two ministers who gave assurances to Foreign Minister McCully about their commitment to the integrity and transparency of future judicial appointments."
Mr Eames said New Zealand should review the funding, as Nauru's assurances of not interfering in judicial appointments have not been kept.
New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully told Checkpoint he would consider official advice before deciding whether funding should continue and is not interested in what Mr Eames is saying.
"I'll make an assessment after I've received a report from New Zealand officials and after they've had a careful look at what's actually being done."
