Fiji’s High court rejects application by controversial Fiji army officer
The Suva High Court has rejected an application by the controversial Fiji army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Filipo
Tarakinikini, for a judicial review of President Iloilo’s refusal to accept his resignation from overseas.
Radio Fiji reports that the judgment effectively means that Lieutenant Colonel Tarakinikini is liable to be recalled to
Fiji to face military charges.
In a summary of his judgment, Justice Gerard Winter, says Lieutenant Colonel Tarakinikini was appointed chief of staff
of the military by the coup front man, George Speight, and later investigated for his alleged involvement in the coup.
Justice Winter says the President, as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has the power not to accept
Tarakinikini’s resignation.
He says the commander-in-chief’s decision to accept or reject a commissioned officer’s resignation does not pose issues
of the kind which courts are competent to deal with.
Justice Winter says Lieutenant Colonel Tarakinikini could not challenge either the president’s rejection of his
resignation or procedural steps leading up to it.
Lieutenant Colonel Tarakinikini has been overseas since early 2001 and has refused to come back despite an order from
the military.