Opposition MP rejects call for judge’s resignation

Opposition MP rejects call for judge’s resignation

"The FLS should be advocating for immediate investigations into these serious allegations, not attempting to silence the person who exposed them."

by shratika naidu

13 Jun 2025 15:55

Opposition MP rejects call for judge’s resignation

Opposition Whip Alvick Maharaj.

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Opposition Member of Parliament Alvick Maharaj strongly refutes the Fiji Law Society ‘s (FLS) call for Supreme Court Judge Justice David Ashton-Lewis’s resignation.

Mr Maharaj criticised the FLS’s stance, arguing that it misrepresents Justice Ashton-Lewis’s intentions and overlooks the important issues he raised during his recent radio interview.

He said the FLS’s demands were a blatant attempt to silence a judge who has courageously exposed serious concerns about corruption and abuse of power within Government.

He said Justice Ashton-Lewis’s interview wasn’t wrong but needed to show the truth about serious problems in the Government.

“I must emphasise that Justice Ashton-Lewis’ as a judge led a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into this very matter and his findings, however uncomfortable for some, must be taken seriously,” Mr Maharaj said.

“To suggest he should be disciplined for sharing insights from an inquiry he led is absurd.” He added that Justice AshtonLewis’ priority was undoubtedly justice and accountability.

He further stated that if revealing certain aspects of the COI serves the greater public interest by exposing wrongdoing, then that was a duty he has fulfilled.

Moreover, he said the FLS’s focus on procedural technicalities over substantive issues was a distraction.

“The Opposition also dismissed FLS’s claims of political bias, arguing that Justice Ashton-Lewis’s alleged support for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his criticisms of a “wannabe Prime Minister” are secondary to the core allegations of corruption,” he said.

“FLS is trying to shift the narrative from the serious claims of perjury and obstruction of justice during the inquiry to the judge’s personal opinions. This is a deflection tactic.”

Furthermore, he said the Opposition strongly supports Justice Ashton-Lewis’ claim of identifying nine individuals who committed perjury or obstructed justice.

“This is precisely the kind of information that should be acted upon, not suppressed,” he said.

“The FLS should be advocating for immediate investigations into these serious allegations, not attempting to silence the person who exposed them.”

He agrees the report should be public stating that the FLS’s timing in making this demand, concurrent with their attack on Justice Ashton-Lewis, appears disingenuous.

“The judge has already given us a preview of what’s in that report and it paints a damning picture. I give my unwavering support for Justice Ashton-Lewis, urging the public to see through what they described as a politically motivated attack by the FLS.

Justice Ashton-Lewis has acted with integrity and courage.”

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