A member of SODELPA, Joni Rayawa has taken legal action against the Party, the General Secretary Emele Duituturaga and Party President Ratu Epenisa Cakobau.
In his lawsuit Rayawa is seeking declaration from the Court that the Special General Meeting of the Party convened and conducted on the 25th of July 2020 breached the SODELPA Constitution because it was chaired by the General Secretary and not by the President or Vice President.
Rayawa claims that the Party Constitution says that only the SODELPA President or a Vice President may chair a meeting of the General Assembly which is the supreme authority of the party.
Rayawa says on July 24th, 2020, the Party’s Management Board elected the current Opposition Leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as Acting President.
He claims that Duituturaga informed the SODELPA Special General Meeting on 25th July 2020, that she received a legal opinion at 3am that morning, that Ratu Naiqama’s appointment as Acting President by the Management Board was unlawful and she thereafter chaired the meeting.
Rayawa is alleging that the election of Ratu Epenisa as President on 25th July 2020 is null and void.
In his lawsuit Rayawa is also seeking a declaration from the court that the decisions, resolutions and outcomes of the Special General Meeting held on the 25th of July are invalid.
He also seeks declaration that the election of Ratu Epenisa as President was invalid and that the office held by Ratu Epenisa be vacated with immediate effect.
When contacted by Fijivillage, SODELPA General Secretary Emele Duituturaga says she will confirm later today whether they have received the lawsuit from Rayawa.
