Attorney-General Siromi Turaga has denounced all accusations of political interference in the appointments of constitutional office holders or that of any other offices that are operating.
Speaking in Parliament, Turaga said there had been much speculation about the appointment of specific tribunals as to why there aren’t simultaneous appointments, the expenditures involved, and the slow processes, and why can’t vacant offices be filled.
Turaga said there is a distinction between the Constitutional Offices Commission and the Judicial Services Commission.
He said that the COC operates on a complaint-initiated mechanism (for specific offices under the Constitution) for example it receives complaints from members of the public, and on assessment either reports to the police or takes to initiate proceedings on allegations of misconduct, sets up tribunals and proceed to hearings.
On the other hand, he said that the Judicial Services Commission is mandated to investigate complaints for other specific offices, for instance, those appointed to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
The Attorney-General said that the COC has resolved to consider its own Standard Operating Procedures concerning the conduct of its internal procedures and functions.
Turaga added the COC has established an independent committee to advise on the appropriate remuneration and allowances that should be payable to all constitutional offices under its responsibility.
