An obscure Queensland radio station – 4CRB Tweed Heads – has conducted the first interview with David Ashton-Lewis – the Fiji Supreme Court judge who conducted the Commission of Inquiry into “Barbara-gate”, the Malimali affair at FICAC, and it is a jaw-dropping sensation.
Revealing that the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, asked him to expose the “crocodiles”, Justice Ashton-Lewis says he has recommended that nine people be charged with offences including perverting the course of justice, abuse of office and perjury. He doesn’t name them but says the nine include cabinet ministers.
The interview was conducted on May 29 yet has only just surfaced. It is embedded in 4CRB’s website under “The Judge”. So you’ll have to go through the main website, where the Fiji material is with another program on June 6.
Click or copy the following link and paste it into your search engine.
The Judge
Then choose the second program. May 29.
Prepare to have your sulu blown off.
The Fiji Times picks up the contents of the interview with what appears to be a pointed reference by the Judge to Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica.
Plus a further story by the Fiji Times with yet another pointed, albeit indirect, reference to Barbara Malmali.
I fail to understand why Charlie Charters is obsessed with the Judge, rather than the rort or corruption that exists within Fiji. The recordings posted here today highlight significant issues within Fiji politics and other bodies that should be safe guarding Fiji.
Charlie Charters has many obsessions, Christopher Pryde and me included, that blind him to the main issues. But right now, it’s a fair bet that his close friendships with Wylie Clarke and Richard Naidu are driving him to create distractions in relation to the COI.
Charlie Charters has made another attempt to discredit the Judge, his counsel assisting and the COI in a response to this comment. I will not assist him in this process. He can do it elsewhere.
David Ashton-Lewis is a judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji. He obtained an opinion on whether the President had the power to suspend Barbara Malimali from a distinguished New Zealand Kings Counsel. The COI is a properly constituted judicial inquiry. End of story.
Charlie should not take things personally. Maybe more thought and research should be taken by him to explain why a certain bakery constantly runs out of white long loaf since the introduction of price control but it was never the case prior to it.
I have always wondered what changed.
Justice Ashton-Lewis sounds so much like Graeme Eden, a once very popular and respected (Rugby) voice on FBC radio. Or vice versa, G Eden sounds so much like the judge.
Just been listening to the first 15 minutes or so of the judges interview with the host and will listen to the rest later. I’m all for the COI and the clean up and nothing for or against him or JMason. But I’m astounded that the judge has spoken on this matter at this juncture, with some of the details and opinions he has revealed. It even appears unprofessional to me. I hope this does not compromise any legal proceedings against the crocodiles that need to be flushed out, and it looks like justice Ashton-Lewis and Assisting counsel JMason have done a very thorough job. His explanations as he describes the judicial system in Fiji and some other Commonwealth countries is very well articulated. Brilliantly and clearly spoken.
How is this unprofessional? The inquiry has concluded, and the report has been submitted to the President. There is nothing incorrect about it. You are merely deflecting from the real issues and avoiding accountability for the corrupt.
Dear Barri T. Law: On a sunny day, with very low humidity and not a cloud in the sky, I don’t think I could rationalise with you that it was not raining. End.
Wow, what an interview and a very eye opening insight by the esteemed judge.
I urge every fijian to listen to it like I just did and draw you own conclusions of what really is going on in our country.
The ball is fairly in the PM’s court now to bring these 9 people to account. We now know of 3 of them and waiting with bated breath to see what actions are taken against the remaining 6.
Great research as always GD. Keep it up for our sake.
I reckon there are 9 Fijians who will be extremely nervous today and for this week. When will the authorities question and charge them?
Rabuka is a snake as we have seen he is shocking when it comes to be the prime minister for everyone ,we know that his government is all about corruption and power as he is the father of all this.If he can’t come clean when asked about his Rolex so what is expected from the rest of his cabinet.Do we need a tribunal to investigate his Rolex which will reveal how corrupt Rabuka himself is.Its time for him to collect bottles.
After listening to that, CUM CUM Either would be soiling his large underpants, Baiman would be packing his overnight bag and Seerome would liaising with God hourly.
Manoa Manoa Manoa – looks like you have fallen in the poopoo pit that your wife Ann was digging for others – maybe your best mate Pramesh Sharma ( Mr 15%) can join you considering his FB response to COI – you all deserve each other.
Where does Kundan Singh Boys sit on this – isn’t Pavan Singh the Founder of PAP like Manoa – time to chose boy or have you chosen your horse !
I’d like to be a fly on the wall in that office when Rolex Steve tears him a new one.
It’s no wonder we can’t get ahead. Natives liumuring natives. Smh!
Ms Itch
Mr Sweet
Mr Grin
Mr Lambchops
Mr Law
Mr Judge
I wonder who the other three are?
Well there you go Fiji. This was never about Malimali. This was always about getting rid of the people in his own party who were going for his job. When all of this settles, I’ll bet that Biman will remain untouched but more than a few PAP Ministers will be Ministers no longer.
I will not leave anyone. I am bar bra. I slept with Naco who when I was junior lawyer at fIRCA. Then I was terminated because I was caught having sex in office.
I also now sit on forca board.
I paid Tanya waqanika 150k legal fees
I slept with tuvalu judge
I saved lynda tabuya who gave me sunglasses and became Commissioner to save all government crooks.
Wylie, Tanya, lynda, taco, vosaroqo and laurel. We are very closely connected. No one knows our friendship, personal drugs, alcohol and sex parties we have.
I will be back soon as >!? Am BAR BRA.
My boobs and ass can buy rabuka anytime.
I am still on many boards and I am very powerful because of my sleeping and prostitute nature.
Sure the 9 are stupid ! Corrupt even especially Lynda Tabuya: Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica! But Rabuka- haha the same guy who dobbed in the Sodelpa MPs to Ficac amd which eventuated in a number of former Sodelpa MPs going to prison from Salote Radrodro to Niko Nawaikula and Tui Namosi.
The same Rabuka who’s dobbed in his own cabinet ministers for this COI: likewise those PS: SG and AG: CJ and CR!!
Rabuka is a master manipulator who kills his political opponents in a way only he can ! By using the law against them. Sounds familiar to you ? Yes he’s another Khaiyum!!
Well done Fiji.
Couldn’t believe what I was hearing and was astounded by the Judge’s revelation in the interview about Fiji reverting to restoring the British Monarchy and having a governor-general. Really!!!
No mention of how the Judge’s good friend Rabuka living with impunity had unilaterally and unceremoniously removed the late Queen and declared Fiji a Republic back in the day.
What the nation needs is a complete reset…out with the old and in with the new.
And a second independence too!!
Having listened to the whole interview, the judge gives a good explanation and background. I think the wannabe PM issue now has potential to further destabilise the government because without the report there will be speculation and innuendo. This is especially as judge described this person as smiling in the face ready to stab Mr Rabuka in the back.
What I find most concerning is the judge’s description of Bainimarama government and trying to make Rabuka the martyr especially in saying that he worked on constitution issues with current pm when he was last in power. He seems to whitewash common citizenry and ethnic issues. The judge showed very clearly in his words his profound admiration vis a vie bias in favour of Rabuka. This discredits his report and suggests that $2.1 million was Mr Rabuka looking after his old mate and vice versa to keep him in power going forward.
His Lordship Justice David Ashton-Lewis spoke only after he completed his work by handing in the report. He is now Funtus Officio- meaning- his role has expired- per se. The Judge also spoke from another jurisdiction with no names mentioned. There is no breach in the Terms of Reference as he has answered all that was required as outlined in the report. It is unfortunate that people in Fiji don’t quite understand that no laws have been broken by his lordship. Furthermore, those commenting citing alleged breaches are those who played a direct role in representing Barbwire by allegedly accepting a corrupt benefit, aiding and abetting, perjury, perverting the course of justice and Obstruction of justice. Lawyers in Fiji really need to understand the law and more so its application- this is what is lacking.
Vinaka vaka levu for sharing the link to the podcast. After listening to it in full we can come to one agreement: the problem isn’t Indo-Fijians taking over the land. It’s is us iTaukei crossing each other for political and self-serving purposes. If what the Judge says is all true then Rabuka deserves it. He deserves backstabbing ready with their knife and fork to make a meal out of him and his political career.
…the problem isn’t Indo-Fijians taking over the land…
Hate to break it to you “Fake” George.
Indo-Fijians never were the problem and never have taken anything from the natives. Agreeing overall with your contribution, though.
On another note, Ashton-Lewis failed to mention SLR did not one but two coups, was involved in the disaster of 2000, and the violent 2001 mutiny.
So much for respecting the rule of law. Ashton-Lewis’s bias comes through as a personal friend of SLR, in addition to lotu vata and masu vata. Thus, SLR the viper, saying, ‘expose the crocodiles…’
If not, Ashton-Lewis praising SLR Snake as a good person who likes the rule of law is designed to encourage Rabuka to release the report.
Ashton-Lewis also said he advised SLR to act on the recommendations of his report and then release the report, which can be equated to applying subtle pressure on SLR to do the right thing.
Rabuka the Snake has no intention to take further action nor to release the report.
Ashton-Lewis thinks he knows the snake very well. Does he?
The Snake himself is the biggest liumuri.
https://www.facebook.com/share/16qmzbq1X7/
This interview should result in a few Fijian government ministers and people in power developing loose sphincters.
The interview is a bombshell and says a lot about the people close to Rabuka. It also says a lot about the integrity and moral code of the people Rabuka has appointed to help run government.
If Rabuka has heard this interview, I am sure he’s watching the people around him closely and watching his back frequently.
Health professionals,
Listen up.
When those 9 crocodiles turn up with a chest pain this week, kindly tell them that you are going home. Overtime is no longer your thing.
That will teach them.
Scenario one: Rabuka forms government to implement the voter mandate and selects people with integrity, expertise and experience. All goes well for him and Fiji.
Scenario two: Rabuka forms government to implement his agenda of ethno nationalism and selects people willing to implement this at all costs to integrity and international reputation. Appointing fellow corrupt people doesn’t end well for him or Fiji, as Ashton-Lewis’ report has established.
Ashton-Lewis does not seem to understand however that we are dealing with Scenario one and this report is being used to help Rabuka shed another skin and stay a snake; creating the illusion he has integrity, getting rid of those who don’t.
I do wonder if the connection between Rabuka and Ashton-Lewis has clouded his judgement in this regard. I am sure his investigation and findings are all above board, but the interview indicates he doesn’t really understand what kind of animal Rabuka really is.
The report has been leaked.
Kere copy someone.
Don’t assume for a second that Rabuka is innocent.
He is just as complicit in this and is maneuvering to snake his way out to look like a good guy.
He’s had enough practice snaking his way out to look like a good guy.
After all, he was just passing by the barracks with his military fatigues in tow in the back of his car on that sad day that loyalists died.
Your days of snaking are coming to a bitter end.
Manoa K comes out looking worst in all of this – his wife has destroyed his political ambitions through her devious ways – forget your First Lady crap Ann- remember that shit sticks and this one can’t be swept under the carpet. bTW – why is Anns bestie Lynda and Stan the man – even Poopoo Parkinson is joining the bandwagon with Anish Chand and Fred in throwing Manoa under the bus. Is Parmesh Sharma still going to the blues vs crusaders game in Christchurch with Manoa or is that off the table? Tide has turned and you better be worried, Richard and Biman.
Stanley Simpson thinks he knows best.
Bro, sa rauta.
Hope you are not mentioned in the report too.
Won’t be a surprise if you are.
For once stop being the media clown that you have become.
#barbrasmooch
Great interview and outline of how things work in a CoI.
5 interviews turned into 35.
Corruption galore.
Aesop’s Fables are a collection of moral tales attributed to Aesop, a Greek slave and storyteller.
In a similar genre, one wonders how the hypothetical “Tale of the Snake and the Crocodile” will play out.
Or is this a “Tale of the clever Snake and the hired Crocodile Hunter”.
The plot is thickening and all may not be what it appears…. the meek Lamb may not end up being Chopped because there are other more dangerous Brutus within.
Have just had a listen to 4CRB here in the U.K., an excellent interview with David-Ashton Lewis.
What did suprise me was the Judges acceptance of Rabuka, as being good for Fiji.
Yes, he’s a Rambo fan, alright! The one jarring aspect of the whole interview for many people listening. But maybe Rabuka will prove the doubters wrong.