FLP & Unity Fiji case against the Speaker, AG and Fijian Govt called for the first time before the Chief Justice

FLP & Unity Fiji case against the Speaker, AG and Fijian Govt called for the first time before the Chief Justice

By Semi Turaga
Wednesday 02/03/2022
Sevuloni Valenitabua, Devanesh Sharma and Associate Gul Fatima.

The case where the Fiji Labour Party and Unity Fiji Party have taken the Speaker of Parliament, the Government and the Attorney General to court, seeking a declaration that it is unconstitutional to not allow political parties to file cases in the High Court if they have issues with decisions made by the Registrar of Political Parties and the Electoral Commission, was called for the first time today.

FLP and Unity Fiji filed legal action in relation to the amendments to the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Act where the right of the aggrieved party to appeal in the High Court against the decisions of the Registrar of Political Parties and Electoral Commission, have been removed.

These two parties are represented by Sevuloni Valenitabua who was asked by the Chief Justice Kamal Kumar this morning to step outside and remove his bip.

Valenitabua was wearing his bip without a robe.

Chief Justice Kumar said Valenitabua was a very senior lawyer and asked if that was how he was supposed to be dressed in court.

The court then waited as Valenitabua went outside to remove his bip.

When he returned inside, Valenitabua apologised.

R Patel Lawyers partner Devanesh Sharma and Associate Gul Fatima informed the court today that they are acting on the instructions of the Attorney General’s Chambers for the three defendants.

Valenitabua says that they have filed the originating summons together with an affidavit by Mahendra Chaudhry.

In response, Sharma told the court that there are three affidavits they have to respond to and they seek 21 days to file their responding affidavits in this matter.

He says there are a number of issues they would like to raise in the affidavits itself and then take it up as well in the substantive hearing.

Valenitabua has asked for 14 days to reply to Sharma.

He also sought leave of the court this morning to file a supplementary affidavit by Chaudhry.

The case has been adjourned to 30th April 2022.


FEATURE NEWS
Director of Immigration and Manager Passports suspended pending full investigations
The Director of Immigration and Manager Passports have been suspended pending investigations at the Department of Immigration. This has been confir...
11 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Woman found dead in Suva hotel was missing from last Wednesday
The 45-year-old Mozmin Khan woman who was reported missing at the Valelevu Police Station last Wednesday was found dead in a Suva hotel. Police ...
2 hours ago

Prof. Biman Prasad to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7pm tomorrow
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad will appear on fijivillage Straight With Vijay Narayan at 7pm tomorrow. You ...
2 hours ago

Health worker shortage worsened by climate change impacts - Health Adaptation Plan
As the nation is facing a protracted health worker shortage and is experiencing difficulty with staff retention, the situation has exacerbated the ...
2 hours ago

Man found floating in Navua River
A man in his 40s was found floating in the Navua River near Naitata yesterday. Police say the case was reported at the Navua Police Station and ...
16 hours ago

Chinese national allegedly locked out of home by husband, lawyer claiming human rights violation
A Chinese national residing in Fiji is bringing to light her alleged unlawful eviction from her home in Laucala Beach after the landlord was ...
16 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
11 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
11 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
18 days ago

TOP