The highest court in France has confirmed that the chief prosecutor of Wallis and Futuna had held the position for 27 years without having been duly appointed.
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The flawed process to appoint Atonia Tamole had come to light in a court case last year when a defence lawyer successfully challenged her right to act as a prosecutor.
A 1983 law change had transferred some judicial powers from Noumea to Paris, but the prosecutor had still been chosen from Noumea according to the system installed in 1928.
It has now been revealed that the highest court in France has rejected a challenge by the judicial authorities in Noumea, which defended the appointment.
Two months ago, Ms Tamole was sworn in again after a readjusted appointment process.
