John Rabuku really is a nasty piece of work. We know he is a racist because he told his Assistant DPP, Elizabeth Rice, that he was sacking her because she was “white”. We know that he had no compunction about taking up the job of Acting DPP despite the fact that the Constitution specifically prohibits it because he has been found guilty of professional misconduct. And now that three Supreme Court judges have told the government that Rabuku is “ineligible” to hold the job and the earth is giving way beneath his feet, we are being treated to one big final hissy fit before the inevitable happens and the illegal Acting DPP is gone.
What possible outcome is John Rabuku hoping to achieve by ripping up his nighty in such spectacular fashion? We know it can’t be easy for the massively self-entitled fashion plate to come to terms with his imminent demise but at least he might have shown just a smidgeon of dignity. Ripping into the new Attorney General, Graham Leung, for stating the bleeding obvious – that if Rabuku had any honour or respect for the office he holds, he would resign – merely serves to underline John Rabuku’s complete unfitness for public office of any kind.
His eight month term as Acting DPP has been a disaster. He simply doesn’t understand the first thing about the job. And not only has he got rid of people in the ODPP who were highly effective simply because he didn’t like them, he has empowered some people who, like him, are totally unfit to hold the jobs they’ve been given. Having his male lover in the organisation and being seen to favour him is simply the most egregious of John Rabuku’s workplace failings.
There’s a hint of his fate in our last posting – A Day in the Life of the Prime Minister – in which Sitiveni Rabuka refers more than once to the importance of operating within the law. It has taken the arrival of the new Attorney General and the removal of his predecessor for the PM to take up this mantra. But it means that John Rabuku’s legs have been cut from beneath him. Because his was an unlawful appointment right from the start and it was always going to haunt him and the government all the way to their eventual undoing.
It’s a shame that Graham Leung gets to be dragged through the mud by such a low-life for standing up for what is right. Because if there were more people in government and the community willing to take a stand for principle, Fiji would be a lot better off.
So Johnny boy, you petulant miscreant. Enjoy the view from the big office in Gunu House and your chauffeur-driven splendour while you can. Your public attack on the AG has sealed your fate. The Acting Chief Justice and head of the Judicial Services Commission, Salesi Temo, is like a tortoise in dealing with even urgent matters of state but he can no longer save you.
One swing of your handbag/ man-bag has ensured that the axe will fall and when it does, no-one will mourn your execution. You could have gone with dignity by resigning and accepting that your misfortunate is totally self-inflicted. It was you who demonstrated professional misconduct as a lawyer, not Graham Leung. Yet having brought the state into disrepute with this outburst, your career in public life is over.
No class, no future. You’ve had your chance to fall on your sword and now it will be driven into you.
NOTE: One of my readers has accused me of homophobia for the handbag reference. I don’t give a damn about John Rabuku’s sexual orientation but I care deeply about the integrity of the offices of state. But if the handbag allusion offends, substitute it for man-bag. Either way, a man of any persuasion has to have somewhere to put his things.
I see from the comments below that an argument in being advanced in legal circles that when three Supreme Court judges say something is contrary to law, it is optional to take any notice if it is merely cast as an “opinion”. Great. Why have any laws at all?
If someone wants to grab your handbag or man-bag, it’s only your opinion that they shouldn’t be allowed to take it. Get over it.
A Chand says
That is if we trust Rabuka!
Rabuka’s term in office has demonstrated that he is a ‘master class; at deception, facade and lying. ‘Snake’ used by some is not a far fetched depiction.
Remember how he came in ‘sheep’s clothing’ to take advantage of the dissatisfaction with FFP, by chanting he is a ‘changed’ man, his insincere apologies and and misleading statements, with lies.
He probably thinks this is ‘good diplomacy’ and Fijians are stupid!
We recall his ‘merit’ based appointments leading to the i-taukesiation of the civil service, boards, foreign service and removal of others. Note how staunch ethnonationalists like Kubuabola, Tarakinikini, Yauvoli etc, supported by his inner circle of Rokovada, Wise etc, not to mention his preferred appointments to the judiciary.
Surely Rabuku is not above Rabuka, but his procastination just underscores the sympathetic ears he is getting from the government. It was the same when it came to dealing with Radrodro and Tabuya, when he was saying one thing and doing another.
By using his Ministers like Agni Deo, Biman Prasad and Charan Singh (the ABC) who are also running rampant with their own brands of croynism, hand-picked individuals to positions, he tries to portray a semblance of sprinkling of fairness. Afterall, he is setting the standard which other Ministers are happy to follow.
So whilst it is refreshing to see the stances adopted by the new AG, Law Society and others, I would not hold my breath when it comes to Rabuka.
Sad Observer Scared for Fiji says
I agree. The snake sees what he can get away with, then only does what’s right when dragged kicking and screaming to the table and has to save face. There’s no distancing himself from his own corrupt and racial based decisions.
Anonymous says
He was also very sexist . On his first day of work he told his team of highly professional lawyers that there were too many women and they all looked like China dolls and should dress like them. Any civilised country He would have been sacked long ago
Ray says
The thing is Christopher Pryde was suspended more than a year ago without any reason and the government has done nothing. And RABUKU being illegally appointed not qualified for the job acted like a Master. It’s a shame that the government allowed this. The people lost all the faith in the justice system. The ACJ should go immediately too
What about all the cases he presided? What will happen to that? BAINIMARAMA’S AND QILIHO’S cases were very illegal. The whole Nation knows that. Will they be leleased from the Prision immediately?
THE GOVERNMENT HAS LOT TO ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE OF FIJI. Now there is no more OPPOSITION in PARLIAMENT, the government is having a feast.
There is no journalist in Fiji who has the BALLS to ask the right questions to RABUKA. RABUKA is making money at others expense. It’s all SHAME SHAME SHAME. GOD HELP FIJI.
Anonymous says
One can’t help but feel some sympathy for the new Acting DPP to be appointed, unless it is someone just as racist and incompetent as the current one.
Sympathy because of the mess they will take over. If it is a person that Rabuku does not like, he likely will make the handover process as prickly as possible and try a ‘hospital pass’ which is a given anyway.
Good luck to the new acting DPP as they perform their role in this critical arm of the state. Currently it seems a bit of a kangaroo court wild west type of situation, playing out private and political vengeance bang bang shootout in the guise of justice.
Just Saying says
I don’t see what the big problem is. Just cut off his internet access, change the lock to the office, and cancel his access to the building. His superior whoever that is should write him a polite letter stating that in view of the supreme courts opinion his services are no longer required and his salary up to the date of the letter will be credited to his account. QED.
Temalesi Dinati says
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣I can’t stop laughing at this wannabe,his fall from grace is not going to be easy, he’ll just scream out loud and walk out with his handbag,what a shame and the circus is full of untalented Wannabees!
Temalesi Dinati says
At least Christopher pryde had the decency by saying “keep calm” this Johnny really is quite an actor by throwing his tantrums 🤣🤣🤣🤣 for the last time before he walks out,I think a career change for him will be the best way to exit gracefully.
So Na Ua says
Jone Rabuku’s handbag slap across the wrist of attorney-general, Grahame Leung is somewhat justified. In the best traditions of the British Westminister system the civil service operates like a silent impartial machine behind the scenes, seen but not heard.
Graham Leung’s public call for JR to quit as acting DPP after the Supreme Court opinion is not an example of dignified conduct. It falls outside the westminister tradition.
But so does the festival of Civil Service Week where Rabuka like a Robert Mugabe or Kim Il Jung Jnr parades out his admiring civil servants to applaud gleefully his push ups and sit ups and other displays of his virility and longevity,
U could almost hear the shout, Long Live the King, Long may he reign.”
It’s been a hard week for all of us and for Jone Rabuku too. He will leave in good time when all the necessary transition arrangements have been done.
Nick says
Rabuku did dirty work by sending Bainimarama and Qiliho to jail aided by Salesi Temo hence the reason Temo is delaying his removal when the law is very clear he needs to vacate the office. Surely rule of law is compromised under Rabuka govt. John Rabuku had personal grudges against Fiji First and he had also made his feelings known through fb postings still he was illegally appointed. All his decisions to prosecute persons should be challenged and rescinded given his appointment was illegal in the first place .
Yes that is right says
I thought Fiji did not have any snakes. But apparently it is full of snakes, the most venomous kinds.
Only me says
He is deleting, files, records, emails, payments made to him very fast. This behavior would not been allowed in the private sector.
Pita says
Nasty piece of work ,yes…but is there really any need for the qauri baiting homophobia? One thing about his appointment was that it was actually a sign of unusual tolerance in an often very conservative indigenous culture. Pity he distinguished himself in the other negative ways you have documented.
Graham Davis says
In deference to your sensitivity about these things, I have altered the article to provide the option of being hit by a man-bag.
Appalling says
Simone Valenitabua has given his 5 cents. Like Rabuku and Vosorogo, Simone has ILSC convictions and has labeled the Supreme Court’s opinion as one that is not “binding” on Cabinet or JSC. Absolutely appalling argument.
The latest on the Rabuku saga as reported by Mai TV:
“Supreme Court opinion not binding on Rabuku says Valenitabua, Honour and Comply says Fiji Law Society
Suva Lawyer Simione Valenitabua has waded in on the debate on whether Acting DPP John Rabuku should step down following the ruling by the Supreme Court that he was ineligible to hold the position.
Earlier this week, Attorney General Graham Leung and the Fiji Law Society President Wylie Clark called on Rabuku to honour and respect the ruling and step down.
However, Valenitabua says that since the Cabinet sought the opinion of the Supreme Court, the opinion merely assists the Cabinet in making decisions based on the interpretation and application of the 2013 Constitution.
“In my view the Constitution is silent on the effect of such opinion given by the Supreme Court on a person like Rabuku who is aggrieved by the opinion. My opinion is different from the Supreme Court. In my view, Rabuku qualifies to be a Judge under s 105(2)(a) of the Constitution being a former Magistrate which qualifies as a high judicial office. Any previous disciplinary convictions would be irrelevant as a previous guilty finding is only a bar to appointment as a Judge under s 105(2)(b) of the Constitution.”
“The proceedings in Cabinet are confidential and I am of the view that the JSC has made a decision to appoint Rabuku as Acting DPP according to its interpretation of the Constitution. The correct constitutional procedure now would be for any person aggrieved by the decision of the JSC to appoint Rabuku (like the FLS) to apply for constitutional redress under s 44 of the Constitution alleging that the JSC has contravened the provisions of the Constitution in appointing Rabuku as Acting DPP according to the Supreme Court’s opinion,” Valenitabua argues.
“The Supreme Court opinion will only be used as part of the evidence in support of the redress application submitted by solicitors for the FLS because it is an opinion of mere evidential value and will need to be tested at trial provided Cabinet permits the use of the opinion by the Supreme Court by the FLS in court. As it stands, in my view, the opinion is relevant only to Cabinet, is confidential and should not have been publicised, as it is an opinion sought by the Executive from the Judiciary, whose processes and proceedings are highly classified, privileged and confidential.”
“The JSC is a constitutional body that is not subject to the control of any other person or authority except a court of law. That court of law has not been moved yet to question whether the JSC contravened the Constitution on appointing Rabuku as Acting DPP. Its opinion is not a judgment with orders or declarations binding on anyone including the JSC. The JSC needs to be steadfast and not allow its procedures and processes to be mocked by the FLS or any other person,” Valenitabua added.
The Fiji Law Society disagrees.
“That kind of case is itself a rare event, when the Cabinet of the country asks the Supreme Court to guide it on a matter of law. The reference reminds all of us that even the most powerful people in the land respect and defer to the expertise of the Supreme Court on the rules that govern all of us,” read a statement signed by President Wylie Clarke.
“The Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Rabuku was disqualified from appointment as acting Director of Public Prosecutions under the Constitution. In light of the Supreme Court’s clear opinion, the Fiji Law Society is deeply concerned that Mr Rabuku remains in office.”
“In a society governed by the rule of law, all must obey it. High public officials such as Mr. Rabuku, who is legally qualified and whose office is central to the administration of justice, have a consequently higher duty to obey the law and not to try to frustrate it. It is not acceptable for him to stand on some official process to avoid meeting his clear duty to obey the law. He must know what his duty is and he should immediately take the steps which are required to leave office.”
Valenitabua disputes this and says that the Supreme Court disqualified Rabuku from holding the substantive DPP position under section 117(2) of the Constitution and not as Acting DPP. On a literal interpretation of the constitutional provision, neither s 117(2) nor s 105(2)(b) applies to Rabuku. It applies to Pryde as incumbent (but suspended) DPP but not Rabuku as Acting DPP.
“In my view Rabuku can remain in office. The opinion of the Supreme Court makes no directory orders for Rabuku to step down as Acting DPP. It also did not follow normal judicial due process of being tested through evidence with facts and the application of relevant laws to the facts at trial leading to a pronouncement in Court. It should have been a closed court yet it was open to the public and the media. In my view the opinion emanating therefrom is not binding on anyone let alone Cabinet or the JSC. It is an opinion until affirmed and pronounced by a Court of competent jurisdiction dealing with a constitutional redress application under the Constitutional Redress Rules. It is a convention of Cabinet that no member of the public or media is allowed in Cabinet meetings where various experts are permitted to give their opinion. For the Supreme Court opinion to be publicised is a serious breach of that convention and protocol,” Valenitabua added
“I ask the question; what is the motive of FLS? From its latest barrage of criticism levelled against Rabuku and the JSC, it is fair to say that FLS wants everyone to religiously adhere to the Rule of Law and the 2013 Constitution. FLS should put their money where their mouth is, comply with the law and file a case in the High Court. It is not a political movement to be commenting on the appointment of Rabuku! In my opinion, Rabuku qualifies to be acting in the position of DPP until Pryde relinquishes the position,” Valenitabua said.
The Fiji Law Society maintains that the rule of law must be followed.
“Just as it was with Justice Alipate Qetaki (whose appointment was ruled lawful by the Supreme Court under the reference) the Society has no animosity against Mr Rabuku and it bears him no ill will. The Society’s only interest in this case is to ensure that Mr Rabuku, like everyone else in Fiji, honours and complies with the law,” the FLS said.”
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/7RWU4XYhbsqxSsZg/?mibextid=oFDknk
V4Vendetta says
Wonder why Simione Valenitabua was silent all this time. If the SC’s opinion didn’t matter then why wait till the opinion came out. Isn’t Simione Rabuka’s personal advisor cum assistant of all sorts? Didn’t he advice his master?
Simone is also affected by this opinion. Don’t forget, he was already traveling in the Govt car after elections as he was certain of being appointed Solicitor-General. He too had a kick to the gut and his ass when he wasn’t appointed because of his ILSC convictions.
So if the opinion was in favor of Rabuku, that would have opened up the doors for Simione to wag is stinky tail up Rabuka’s vudi for the SG’s post.
Neither Simione nor Ropate Green will ever be able to match the caliber and competence of Sharvada Sharma as SG.
As for Rabuku, karma is a BIAAATTTCCCCHHHHH. He terminated and forced many to leave that office based on personal grudges and racist agenda. He is now going out with a bang!
Ray says
The bigger the 🐕 dog is he falls harder. I am so greatful that finally this dog has fallen in his own shit. Probably he can comeback to this office as a cleaner and clean all the shit he created and make a cup of tea for CRISTOPHER PRYDE and fall on his feet and apologise.
Liu Peng says
Scumbag racist bastard…fallen facedown in his own “tattie”
Rot gandu.