28 Jul 2006

Fiji prosecutor suspended after commenting on DPP

1:13 pm on 28 July 2006

One of Fiji's most successful prosecutors was suspended today after speaking out against his employer.

The director of public prosecutions, Josaia Naigulevu, has suspended Kevueli Tunidau, saying he has brought his office into disrepute.

An ugly row broke out between the two after the Public Service Commission rejected a bid by Mr Tunidau for the Deputy director's job.

The senior prosecutor says he'd been groomed for the job but was told there was no-one qualified enough in Fiji for the post.

Mr Tunidau - who has a Masters in International Law from the University of Sydney - says the decision is an insult to all Fijians.

"I think it's a slap in the face for all of us locals. Not only me but the lawyers out there who are similarly in my view qualified for the position."

Mr Tunidau says he and another unsuccessful local applicant for the job, Abhay Singh, are taking court action against the commission.

Josaia Naigulevu was unavailable for comment.