Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo is exploring several avenues to institute contempt of court proceedings against Suva Magistrate Seini Puamau.
While presiding over the State’s Appeal on the sentencing of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, Temo said he is looking at four options.
They are:
- Activate High Court Contempt of Court against Resident-Magistrate Seini Puamau;
- Refer Resident Seini Puamau to the Police for disobeying lawful orders of the High Court under Section 202 of the Crimes Act;
- Recommend to His Excellency the President to remove Resident-Magistrate Seini Puamau from the bench; or
- Ask Resident-Magistrate Puamau for her resignation for inaction.
Temo said he would look at adjudicating the matter after the Appeal Hearing that has been set for 02 May 2024.
Last month, Temo had ordered that the matter be called before Magistrate Puamau on 18th March, for her to abide by the decision of the High Court and pronounce Bainimarama and Qiliho guilty as charged and convict them accordingly.
He also directed the respondent lawyers to file mitigation and sentence submissions for both Bainimarama and Qiliho.
Justice Temo also ordered that the Magistrate pass the sentences for Bainimarama and Qiliho on 28 March.
