Solomon based Fijian judge will not head anti-corruption commission in Fiji

The Fiji Interim Prime Minister and army commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama revealed yesterday at a press conference in Suva that Solomon Islands based judge, Sekove Naqiolevu will not head the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission as anticipated earlier.

On Sunday, the Fijilive website carried a report which stated that the Anti-corruption Commission will be established within a few weeks and would be headed by former Fiji chief magistrate, Sekove Naqiolevu who is currently serving as a judge in the Solomon Islands.

The media report on Sunday on the Fijilive website was understood to be in contradiction to an earlier statement on the Solomon Star on January 29, which indicated Justice Naqiolevu's intention of remaining in the Solomons as a High Court judge for the whole of 2007. This may have prompted genuine confusion among the general populace of Fiji as to which report is true.

As a result, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama clarified the issue yesterday at a press conference.

"I just want to clarify that Naqiolevu is not the head of the anti-corruption commission as reported by the media. The announcement on who will take up the post will be made soon," he said.

Naqiolevu was appointed to the Solomon Islands High Court in 2005, in a bid to fast-track trials against militia leaders involved in five years of civil unrest in the country. He has also served as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.

Source: Fijilive