SUVA, Fiji – The appointment of the new chief justice, Anthony Gates, has sparked controversy in Fiji.  Gates replaced Daniel Fatiaki who resigned at the beginning of December, almost two years after the military-led interim government suspended him.  Under Fiji’s constitution, an elected prime minister chooses the chief justice in consultation with the opposition.  This recommendation then goes to the president.

Dorsami Naidu, the Fiji Law Society’s president, says that since that process has not been followed in the appointment of Anthony Gates as Chief Justice, it is unlawful.  Mr. Naidu stated, “Why do they shout from their rooftops that the constitution is in place when they have cannibalized the constitution as it were and any appointment made by this regime is unlawful.  They can make these appointments because they are in effective control of the country, but let’s not hide behind the facade.”

Mr. Naidu says anyone appointed to the office of Chief Justice must be above question, and that Anthony Gates does not fit that description.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International – Fiji’s interim regime’s accused of illegally appointing new Chief Justice – 22 December 2008