Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Call for judicial interference allegations against Fiji AG to be investigated

Posted at 21:17 on 21 September, 2012 UTC

Four political parties in Fiji say they are shocked by the statement from a former court of appeal judge about Fiji’s Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Justice William Marshall called on Fiji’s Prime Minister to dismiss Mr Sayed-Khaiyum for interference with the judiciary and what he called ’cultural nepotism’ for having close ties with other judges such as Justice Nazhat Shameem.

A joint statement from the SDL Party, the United People’s Party, the Fiji Labour Party and the National Federation Party says allegations of interference are not new.

Alex Perrottet reports.

“The statement signed by leaders of the four parties says Justice Marshall’s calls echo those of England Charity Chair Nigel Dodds last year, who said Fiji’s judiciary was compromised and the whole legal system lacked transparency. The leaders say they are not asserting all the allegations are true, but an independent investigation is required, in order to restore public confidence. They say Mr Sayed-Khaiyum should step down from office to allow the inquiry complete access. The statement follows calls last week from the Labour Party for the Prime Minister to step down to make way for a caretaker Government. This is Alex Perrottet.”

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