Fono asks government to terminate Acting Attorney General for alleged misconduct in office

The Solomon Islands parliamentary opposition has called on the government to terminate the engagement of the Acting Attorney General because of her decision to drop serious charges against a Cabinet Minister and a relative.

Opposition Leader Fred Fono in a statement said the decision by Acting Attorney General Nuatali Tongarutu to drop the serious charges against the Minister of Commerce, Industries and Employment, Peter Shanel and her brother, Pastor Joseph Douglas amounts to misconduct in office.

And he adds if her decision had been both political and personal, then she is not fit to hold the post of the Attorney General.

It had been alleged that she made the decision when she acted as Director of Public Prosecutions in the absence of the substantial holder who was on his annual leave in the Western Province.

He said as the Attorney General is the Government's chief legal advisor, it is appropriate that a neutral lawyer should hold the post, therefore Mrs. Tongarutu's term as Acting Attorney General should be shortened.

Meanwhile, Mr. Fono joins the Transparency Solomon Islands in commending the DPP, Ronald Bei Talasasa for his courage to re-lay the charges against Mr. Shanel.

Source: PFNet