The ongoing controversy surrounding the Barbara-gate scandal has taken a new turn. Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu is urging that key government figures—including Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Commissioner Barbara Malimali, and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku—be held to the same standards as the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde.
Pryde was suspended in April due to allegations of an inappropriate meeting with former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, leading to a heated discussion about accountability and transparency in Fiji’s leadership. He was reportedly seen conversing with Sayed-Khaiyum during this alleged meeting while his office was under investigation regarding Sayed-Khaiyum.
As Seruiratu calls for justice, attention turns to the upper echelons of the justice system. Recently, a photo featuring Turaga, Malimali, and Rabuku was posted on the Ministry of Justice’s Facebook page, showing them at an event welcoming a Japanese delegation at the Grand Pacific Hotel. However, the image was removed shortly after it was uploaded.
Turaga currently faces an active case with the FICAC, while Rabuku has been involved in reviewing Malimali’s case, which he described as “incomplete” and in need of further police investigation.
Christopher Pryde was suspended from his role last April due to accusations of ‘misbehaviour,’ following a recommendation from the Judicial Services Commission. His suspension was made in line with constitutional provisions.
Seruiratu expressed disapproval of the public interactions between the aforementioned officials, suggesting that if the same standards set by Pryde’s case are to be applied, it might warrant evaluations for potential suspensions or a tribunal for Malimali, Rabuku, and Turaga. He emphasized the importance of public perception and integrity in ongoing investigations, particularly given that Rabuku is involved in investigations pertaining to Malimali.
Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry echoed these concerns, raising questions about the actions that the Chair of the Judicial Services Commission, Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, and DPP Nancy Tikoisuva might take regarding the matter. Chaudhry highlighted that Tikoisuva has the constitutional authority to impose disciplinary actions and questioned whether she would act fairly in this context.
Efforts to reach Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chief Justice Temo for comments on this issue were unsuccessful by the time of publication. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Attorney-General’s Office provided context regarding the recent visit from a high-level Japanese delegation focused on law and justice, without addressing the specific inquiries sent via email.