The Attorney-General, Graham Leung, has confirmed the appointment of John Rabuku as the new deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This announcement follows Rabuku’s departure from the acting DPP position just five weeks prior. Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva made the appointment public on Wednesday.
Last month, Attorney-General Leung had requested Rabuku to step down from his acting DPP role after the Supreme Court deemed his appointment as “ineligible.” Leung stated that under the Constitution, the DPP has the authority to appoint staff independently. He emphasized that such decisions are solely within the purview of the DPP or the acting DPP and do not require the approval or consultation of the Judicial Services Commission or the Attorney-General. Additionally, Leung noted that if the acting DPP takes leave, it does not guarantee that the deputy will automatically take over those responsibilities.