Chief Secretary refutes claims of suspending Eliakim

Chief Secretary to Government Sir Mansupe Zurenuoc has refuted claims by social media that he has suspended the Chief Magistrate Nelly Eliakim.

He said one of my jobs as the Chief Secretary is to receive complaints from the public against public office holders, who bring their jobs into question and refer them to the appropriate authorities to be dealt with accordingly.

“For the Chief Magistrate’s case, I have received a detailed document from the Magisterial Services, comprising of nine allegations against Ms Eliakim,” Sir Manasupe said.

He also clarified that he had no authority to suspend the Chief Magistrate.

“I have only received the complaints, thoroughly gone through them and seeing that there were enough details to the allegations, I have referred her to the appropriate authority and that is the Office of the Attorney-General,” Sir Manasupe said.

He said anyone holding a public office is subject to public scrutiny and that no one is above the law.

“As the head of the beauricratic government, I receive public complaints on a daily basis and refer them to the appropriate authorities to be dealt with.

“However, Ms Eliakim is innocent until she is proven guilty. I therefore urge the media not to judge her,” Sir Manasupe said.

He said over the years I have referred many senior public servants to be investigated for official misconduct.

“This has nothing to do with the Prime Minister or the events that are unfolding with him. It just so happened that this referral has occurred at this unfortunate time coinciding with the unfolding of events that are currently before the courts,” Sir Manasupe said.

He also said social media and blogs are now responsible for putting Ms Eliakim to trial and an investigation will be set up in the Department of Prime Minister and NEC, to identify the person who leaked this information to the public.

“Any suggestion that I have suspended Ms Eliakim is not true.

“She is a constitutional appointee and is subject to be investigated by the appropriate authorities, which is the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC),” Sir Manasupe said.

The Chief Secretary confirmed that the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Ano Pala has received the letter from him referring the Chief Magistrate to be dealt with accordingly.