Senior Lawyers, Politicians Weigh in on JSC and FICAC

Senior lawyer Richard Naidu has called on the President to immediately act on the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) regarding Acting FICAC Commissioner Ms Lavi Rokoika.

In a statement issued with former Attorney-General Graham Leung, Naidu said Fiji is at a “critical constitutional moment” and that the President must act on the JSC’s advice “without conditions, without bargaining and without delay.”

The lawyers said under Section 82 of the Constitution, the President acts only on advice and does not have discretion to ignore or negotiate recommendations made by constitutional bodies such as the JSC.

They also stated that Ms Rokoika, as Acting Commissioner, holds a temporary position and is not entitled to compensation when her appointment ends. They argued that following the High Court judgment of 2 February 2026, she should resign to avoid further constitutional issues.

The Fiji Law Society has also expressed concern. In its first media release of 2026, the Society urged the President to implement the JSC’s recommendation immediately.

It said the Constitution and the FICAC Act clearly provide that binding recommendations on the appointment or removal of the Commissioner are made by the JSC, and the President must act accordingly.

Meanwhile, Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has taken a different position.

He questioned whether some legal figures with political links were attempting to pressure the President and shape the national conversation around the JSC recommendation.

Chaudhry also raised concerns about media independence in the reporting of the matter.