Ahmed Slates Tribunal

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SUVA: Former assistant home affairs minister Gaffar Ahmed yesterday criticised the tribunal investigating the role of Fiji's Police Chief Isikia Savua in the May 19 coup, the Fiji Times reports.

After a four-hour sitting, the tribunal adjourned to September 19.

Ahmed will appear before the tribunal again on September 20.

The former minister said he was disappointed with the manner in which the inquiry was conducted.

He called for a commission of inquiry instead of the closed tribunal.

"It's a tribunal where submissions are given privately," he said.

"There should have been a commission of inquiry instead of the tribunal.

"The information cannot be varied because the tribunal doesn't have the powers to summon witnesses," he said.

He added nothing would be achieved with the set-up of such tribunals because the information presented would be scrutinised by the defence.

Ahmed said the submissions he presented referred to alleged corruption and nepotism in the police force.

The tribunal resumes on Tuesday with former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Apenisa Kurisaqila expected to present his submissions.

Fiji Public Service Association general secretary Rajeshwar Singh will appear on the next day with Ahmed.

The tribunal has accommodated University of the South Pacific academic Professor Vijay Naidu, Nausori lawyer Abhay Singh and Assistant Police Commissioner Moses Driver.

+++niuswire

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