Responding to the five-page letter from an unnamed employee at the Judiciary that expressed frustration and anger over alleged misconduct and mismanagement of the Judiciary, Chief Justice Ngiraikelau replied with a short and succinct legal defense to the letter and allegations made.
In his letter, CJ Ngiraikelau said that he did not want to respond to an unnamed individual but decided to pen his response because the allegations made unfairly tarnished another person’s reputation without giving them a fair opportunity to confront the accuser to test the truth of their statements.
Chief Justice further identifies existing processes within the judiciary that the aggrieved persons can use to resolve or address their issues.
“Assuming the ghostwriter has genuine, personal grievance against the Judiciary or the Chief Justice, they should utilize the grievance procedure. Otherwise, the Judiciary and I, as the Judiciary’s Administrative head, cannot even begin to entertain the grievances,” wrote CJ Ngiraikelau.
The letter of complaint titled “HELP!” contained allegations, some of which were very specific, including a copy of a letter from the Vice President to the Chief of Marshals explaining the law prohibiting non-law enforcement personnel from bearing firearms. Other documents include a police report and statements from court marshals regarding one of the marshals injuring another while attempting to hit a handcuffed client in court.
CJ’s response said that the 5-page letter, while lengthy, did not cite a single violation of any provisions of the judiciary personnel rules and regulations.
To resolve the employee’s complaints, CJ Ngiraikelau urges the aggrieved personnel to follow the Judiciary’s procedures for handling and addressing the issues.