Rabuka associate appointed as Fiji's new Attorney-General, third since coalition took office

The Fijian government has appointed a close professional associate of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as the new chief legal adviser - the third since the coalition took office - in the aftermath of his acting attorney-general's explicit video saga earlier this month.

Sevuloni Valenitabua was sworn in as the government's chief law officer at the State House in Suva on Tuesday.

The government said he "brings considerable legal and regional experience, with a professional career spanning private legal practice, constitutional litigation, human rights and public legal services across Fiji and the Pacific".

Valenitabua's appointment draws attention due to his professional proximity to Rabuka. He was selected to lead a seven-member Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) earlier this year, while his son, Simione, is a wellknown Suva lawyer, who currently serves as Rabuka's personal legal counsel, representing him in several ongoing high-profile judicial review appeals.

Leaked report reveals previous health concerns

RNZ Pacific has obtained a copy of a selection panel report for Fiji's anti-corruption office chief, which Valenitabua was passed over for due to a "medical condition pertaining the heart".

According to the report, Valenitabua was considered for the position of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner in August 2024, but was passed up in favour of Barbara Malimali.

The selection panel included Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, Acting Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola, and Solicitor-General Ropate Green.

"The panels were pleased that [Valenitabua] was upfront and declared that he has a medical condition pertaining the heart," the panel wrote in its final recommendation.

"The panel has been considerate of Mr Valenitabua's medical condition which may not be fit for the position as the successful candidate has to handle a challenging environment at the FICAC office," the report read.

The subsequent appointment of Malimali prompted a scandal that later sparked a multi-million-dollar Commission of Inquiry, which remains before the courts.

RNZ Pacific contacted Prime Minister Rabuka's office for comment.

Attorney-General appointments

Valenitabua is the third person to be appointed to the role after Siromi Turaga resigned just days after an explicit video appeared on his Facebook profile on the eve of Fiji's 56th independence anniversary.

Turaga and Graham Leung - who was fired in May 2025 - have been the other two appointees to the role.

Filimoni Vosarogo, Rabuka's Minister for Lands, was also announced as Attorney-General to replace Turaga during a Cabinet reshuffle in October 2023, but was never sworn in following major backlash from the Fiji Law Society, which argued that he was legally disqualified from holding the position.

Rabuka subsequently rescinded the appointment.

Constitutional reform role

Valenitabua's appointment comes as Rabuka is leading a special parliamentary committee for nationwide consultations on replacing Fiji's 2013 Constitution.

Valenitabua was also the chairperson of the CRC, which was established in March to review and prepare a final report and a final draft constitution that would replace the current supreme law of the land.

Valenitabua and the Commission completed their work and formally presented the documents to Fiji's President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at the end of August.

However, the government ditched the Commission's draft constitution and tabled its own version - the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026.

The Bill is expected to be debated for its third reading next week and Valenitabua is expected to play a key role in the process as a non-elected Attorney-General, who is entitled to attend Cabinet as a minister and sit and participate in parliament.

Meanwhile, Fijians are set to head the to the polls by no later than 6 February 2026.