Government’s chief legal adviser, Attorney-General Graham Leung, has confirmed the appointment of John Rabuku as the new Deputy Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). This announcement follows Rabuku’s recent departure from his position as acting DPP, a role he held for five weeks. The new role was revealed by acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva on Wednesday.
Last month, Attorney-General Leung requested Rabuku to step down from the acting DPP role after the Supreme Court deemed his appointment as ‘ineligible’. Leung emphasized that the Constitution grants the DPP the authority to appoint their own staff, pointing out that such decisions are exclusively made by the DPP or the individual acting in that capacity. He noted that neither the Judicial Services Commission nor the Attorney-General has a legal obligation to be consulted in this process.
Additionally, Leung stated that it is not automatic for a deputy to take over responsibilities if the acting DPP is on leave.