Fatiaki takes President, PM to court
Monday August 20, 2007

Suspended CJ Daniel Fatiaki

Fiji's suspended Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki has filed court proceedings against 13 individuals amongst whom include the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

He is challenging his suspension and a number of other issues.

Justice Fatiaki is also challenging the appointments made afterwards by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) under the chairmanship of the acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates.

Defendants in his legal action along with Ratu Josefa and Bainimarama are interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, High Court acting Chief Justice Anthony Games, Justice Nazhat Shameem, Justice John Byrne, Justice Isikeli Mataitoga, Magistrate Alofa Seruvatu, Magistrate Ana Rokomokoti, magistrate John Rabuku Public Service Commission chairman Rishi Ram, interim Solicitor General Christopher Pryde and lawyer Mohammed Sahu Khan.

His lawyer John Apted says they are challenging a number of issues which cover; his suspension, the constitution of the JSC, the appointment of Justice Anthony Gates as acting CJ, and all the appointments made by the JSC in Fatiaki's absence.

He said they were challenging legality of the JSC.