4 Jan 2007

Fiji military sends Chief Justice and Chief Magistrate on leave

11:21 am on 4 January 2007

Fiji's military has asked the Chief Justice and Chief Magistrate to take paid leave, pending investigations into the May 2000 coup.

Commodore Bainimarama said Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki and Chief Magistrate Naomi Lomaiviti were asked to take leave following numerous complaints the military had received of corruption and irregularities in the judicial system.

He said the regime was looking at either Justice John Connors or Justice Anthony Gates to act as Chief Justice, while Magistrate Ajmal Khan was being considered as acting Chief Magistrate.

Commodore Bainimarama said the absence of the Chief Justice and Chief magistrate would not affect the service of the judiciary and it would continue to provide a service to the public.