The Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, is already having a bad day – waking to find himself splashed all over today’s Fiji Sun accused of presiding over dysfunction and incompetence as head of the Judicial Services Commission.
The JSC is slammed by the Opposition’s Jone Usamate and the Labour Party leader and former prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, for not one but two grave lapses of governance – his refusal to suspend the FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali, despite her being in contempt of the Commission of Inquiry into her appointment. And his extraordinary action in again threatening the suspension of the DPP, Christopher Pryde, for misbehaviour when Pryde has just been cleared by three High Court judges after Salesi Temo dragged out his prosecution for the best part of two years.
From the relative safety of Sydney, Grubsheet can say what Jone Usamate and Mahendra Chaudhry can’t. That Salesi Temo and his side-kick, the drink-driving Chief Registrar, Tomasi Bainivalu, are gormless oafs who understand neither the law nor their professional responsibilities and have brought the criminal justice system into disrepute. And today, Temo is about to be exposed for his ignorance and bloody-minded obstinacy.
First, a distinguished New Zealand Kings Counsel, Professor Philip Joseph, is due to answer a simple but critical question posed to him by the Supreme Court judge, Justice David Ashton-Lewis, who is conducting the Malimali Commission of Inquiry. Does Salesi Temo as head of the JSC have the legal authority to suspended Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner after her extraordinary action in sacking one of the Commissioner’s witnesses in mid-proceedings -her chief investigator, Kuliniasi Saumi?
The thing is, Fiji, we already know the answer to that. It is “yes”. Justin Ashton-Lewis has told the Chief Justice that he has the power to suspended Malimali under Section 44 of the Interpretation Act but Salesi Temo isn’t taking any notice of him. So an extra $15,000 of your hard-earned taxes are going to pay for a New Zealand Kings Counsel to tell the judge who occupies the pinnacle of the judiciary in Fiji what he should already know.
When Professor Joseph – who is one of New Zealand’s leading legal and constitutional experts – reminds Salesi Temo of the bleeding obvious, what happens then? Here’s a fair bet, Fiji. He simply won’t take any notice. Because Temo and those forces behind him in the Coalition are determined to keep Barbara Malimali in place no matter what.
She is their instrument to use the unfettered powers of FICAC to pursue their opponents and protect a slew of government ministers, most notably Biman Prasad, who was about to be charged with abuse of office before Malimali was parachuted in and Francis Puleiwai was prised out. With Salesi Temo – according to the then FICAC deputy commissioner – telling her that no court in Fiji would hear any charges she laid, an extraordinary state of affairs in itself.
Salesi Temo’s Friday is also going to get worse as questions mount about what the hell is going on at the ODPP, where Christopher Pryde, the DPP, has again been sidelined and the person making the latest tranche of trumped-up charges against him – party girl Nancy Tikoisuva – has again been installed by the Chief Justice as Acting DPP.
Christopher Pryde has been in New Zealand answering Nancy’s recycled allegations from the same file rejected by the Tribunal judges who exonerated him of misbehaviour. His subsequent reinstatement by the President isn’t the outcome Salesi or Nancy wanted. So no matter how this whole debacle is dressed up as the “legal process taking its course”, it is a crude attempt to overturn the Tribunal result and block Christopher Pryde from ever returning as DPP.
Why? Because not only is Salesi Temo waving the threat of yet another suspension over Pryde’s head and another Tribunal to hear the same allegations of “financial misconduct” all over again, Temo has his little pet (er, not so little pet) at FICAC, Barbara Malimali, waiting to charge Christopher Pryde with corruption. And get this, Fiji. On precisely the same trumped-up charges Nancy Tikoisuva has taken to the JSC – Tikoisuva using her relationship with her friend, Bad-Ass Barbie, to nail Christopher Pryde once and for all and keep her in the top job at the ODPP.
Unfortunately for Temo and the gaggle of misfits around him, it is all unravelling. No-one cares what Grubsheet has said in our long campaign to expose Salesi Temo, who the Prime Minister confirmed as Chief Justice the day after the Pryde Tribunal judges reported their “not guilty” verdict.
Despite having the best part of a quarter-of-a-million visitors last month, the Fijian establishment brushes Grubsheet off as “social media” with zero credibility, as it does with Victor Lal at Fijileaks. But now this story has spilled in spectacular fashion into the mainstream media in Fiji. And that cannot be ignored because it is reaching a mass audience and starting to bite as the clock ticks down to the 2026 election.
The Chief Justice is about to have the day from hell as Professor Joseph reminds him of the bleeding obvious at a cost of $15,000 the nation didn’t have to spend. As for what is happening at the ODPP, Salesi Temo thinks he can just switch horses there without any explanation whatsoever and get away with it. He can’t. And the Pryde saga has suddenly flared up again when it should have been done and dusted.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Your Lordship!
Hugs and kisses from Grubby. And have a blessed day!
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First today’s Fiji Sun front page….
It gets worse in the Sun’s editorial…
Now the Fiji Times…
And finally a reprise of two extracts from Naisa Koroi’s editorial in the Fiji Sun.
Ouch.
At least one person appears to know what he is doing.
The amiable but no-nonsense Justice Ashton-Lewis is emerging as the Obi Wan Kanobi of Fiji. Truly our only hope.
Because it just goes from bad to worse under the Coalition and its handpicked lackeys. And the time for heeding the beleaguered DPP’s advice has passed.
The criminal justice system is unravelling. And the rule of law is being smashed.
It is not about whether Kings Counsel will give a legal opinion confirming that the JSC has the power to suspend Malimali, it’s what Ms Mason and the Judge will do when Temo ignores the KC’s overriding legal opinion that he is wrong.
Temo seems oblivious to anything and everything that is said and done that he doesn’t want to have happen. He has installed himself, with the help of Rabuka, as the ‘King of Fiji’ and will do and say whatever he wants, with impunity.
Clearly, this cannot continue, but who will stop him?
Does anyone really believe that criticism in the mainstream media will make any difference to what this gang is doing? Their arrogant disregard for what anybody thinks has been clearly demonstrated already.
What is the Chief Justice and his band of thieves hiding ? Who are they covering up for ?
Is it all linked ?
Biman PRASAD – Barbara MaliMali – Lynda Tabuya – ODPP office- office of Attorney General – Chief Register office ? One can only wonder aye ?
If they are – What is the big secret that has them all covering each other’s back sides ?
There must be some real big skeletons in the closets that they seem to be protecting to keep tightly shut is the conclusion we can only draw from the series of events drawing out in front of us all …
Do they really think this sneaky behavior is for us ,the good of the Fijian people ?
Deliberately perverting the narrative and truth under their watch by circumventing processes and changing or interpreting laws , rules , policies and procedures to suit their agenda and make them look like saints and legitimize their wrong doings ?
Is the man on top of this pile of deceit and manipulation the incompetent Prime Minister himself?
Questions questions questions
This lot better be careful
It’s only a matter of time – maybe they think they can keep us all fooled a while longer … but as Martin Luther King said and I quote “ the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Change takes a long time, but it does happen.”
And when the government does change next year (2026) – the band of thieves can get ready to figure themselves out from behind prison bars .
Tick tock …. Tick tock … bring on the 2026 elections !
We the Fijian people deserve so much better than this .
GD
It seems that the gang of the untouchables, Fiji’s judiciary, with Mr justice Temo at the helm have succeeded in undermining the CoI, and also that erstwhile body has lost its credibility and they should pack up their bags and leave asap. Firstly, the gang of the untouchables were rumour mongering and undermining the character and credibility of the CoI’s lead barrister, Ms Mason. When that didn’t succeed, they are now refusing to take instruction from the Chairman of the CoI in not suspending Ms Malimali.
Meanwhile, Ms Malimali on her own volition had taken action to dismiss a key witness who gave evidence against her at this Inquiry. Clearly, this appears to be a case of victimising that witness and also the CoI is now unable to protect witnesses who may wish to appear and give evidence. Under the Civil Rules of Procedure, any person giving evidence at any judicial settings are legally protected. The gang of the untouchables are making a mockery of the legal proceedings and only revolution of some sort is now required before Fiji is turned into another Haiti!
Can you imagine the shame and embarrassment of outsourcing legal advice and opinion for a matter which could have easily been handled within Fiji. It confirms 2 things:
1. The government and its appointed monkeys are incompetent and unfit to hold any office.
2. The government appointed monkeys have been strategically placed by Rabuka to ensure his devious and sinister plans are executed without disruption and doesn’t matter whether these imbeciles have any brains.
It also makes you question the so called competency of Graham Leung who was supposed to be an “experienced” lawyer with “integrity”. No wonder he was kicked out of his previous employments. He is better fit to be a PIMP with his suit and hat.
What about Richard the Rat Naidu who is now hiding under the table – definitely not smoking a cigar but rather something else seems more like it. Where is Jon Apted, the so called Constitution expert of Fiji which he harps on about – probably under the same table as Richard. Wylie Clarke is another dumbass and this situation proves it. No word from him and his corrupt council because Wylie was actively involved in these matters.
Note that I havent taken the names of Siromi, Temo, and Bainivalu – its not worth putting their names because I think we all know they confirm that a law degree does not necessarily mean they have common sense and competence. Their peanut-sized brains were never fully developed and they are certainly unfit for any public office position. These Yes Men are truly a joke in the legal profession and waste of our money.
We have a bunch of stupid ass grown up fu@kwits holding positions of power they are not fit for. Surely there has to be some merit or criteria for appointment to such important positions. The criteria for the the ones currently appointed was simple – willingly giving up their asses to Rabuka everytime he wants some.
Thanks for highlighting all this corruption happening at the HELM of the JSC…this is embarrassing and disgusting to the ordinary people of Fiji, when the very same people we trust that they will uphold the Rule of LAW & JUSTICE in our beloved Fiji are doing the opposite to save their political unethical behaviours…this is disgrace to all the people of Fiji who look up to JSC to uphold the rule of LAW…
No wonder our country is in disarray and the only person who seems to be doing the right thing is the Commissioner of POLICE, the man from Wainibuka – literally meaning he is the justice person to dose off the fire with water – the “River flame-man”
We the ordinary Fijians and indigenous Fijians demand justice to everyone inclusively, whether you are a member of the Porn Alliance Party or Not LAW must be abided by ALL…Biman Prasad & the Queen of Fart are only TWO persons how about the thousands who follow the laws…this injustice must not be let off for the sake of a better Fiji tomorrow…
Kaiviti are not happy and will reflect in the 2026 GE…ALL THESE PORN PARTY MPS must go back to their village and retire peacefully if they still have some dignity left in them…
DOU YAVU KAISI BOKOLA KECE!
Sadly, I don’t think CJ or any of Rabuka’s cronies will care what the KC says, because he’s not itaukei.
My understanding is that it’s only an opinion and isn’t binding. No matter how learned, wise and accurate, it’s not the opinion they have been shopping for.
I’d really like to be wrong about this though.
You’re not wrong. There is no point in hoping against hope that Temo and his gang will see sense. The only way anything will change is defeat at the 2026 election or removal at the point of a gun.
Lets face it – Temo will grunt away like a fart in the wind and ignore this.
One of two things needs to happen – either this useless lot get thrown out during the next elections or, the Comm. RFMF needs to untuck his balls and step in to restore the rule of democracy.
The constitution itself states the military will always work to uphold the constitution.
So, if Jone Kalouniwai can spare a minute and wash the makeup off his face, wipe the red lipstick off his lips, step out of his g-strings, Victoria’s Secret bra, Kardashian high heels, put on his military uniform and actually do his job, this could all be over by lunch time
Once this is over, Temo, Biman’s and others assets and FNPF should be confiscated to pay millions of dollars wasted on this case.
Meanwhile, that wasted money could have better spent reforming social Welfare department so that Minister and fat public servants better protect children of Fiji who are abused by their families and partake in glue sniffing etc.
The malaise in the public sector is so ingrained now.
But that would be the common sense approach. Why would one want to do that?
The current situation in Fiji is that if you are corrupt and really bad at your job, the keen eyes of the Coalition will find you and give you a high position.
My only question is how has Richard rich Naidu escaped the coalition’s eyes so far. He definitely deserves at least some high portfolio.
Sir Robert Munro, the principal at Munro Leys, was principled and respected enough to be appointed by Ratu Mara as President of the Senate, Fiji’s Upper House.
His successor at the firm, Richard Naidu is not fit even enough to shine shoes outside the Dolphin Arcade in Suva.
Richard made a huge error of judgement when he chose to tie his apron strings to Biman Prasad.
Bainivalu , Ropate Green and Salesi Temo are all similar . Never led any organisation until now. That’s why they are so incompetent!! Badly shameful the level of leadership now in Fiji!!
Rabuka is the reason for the bad governance.