Nauru Chief Justice

Filimone Jitoko was been quoted in the Nauru Government Bulletin defending the 'sanctity of the independence' of the judiciary.

Nauru's government and its judicial system have been strongly criticised for the past six years, beginning with the deportation of the resident magistrate and the denial of a visa for the then chief justice.

That prompted New Zealand to withdraw aid support for the Nauru judiciary.

Later a judge's contract was not renewed after the government was critical of what it considered light sentences being handed down.

Islands Business reports the former Fiji Vice President passed away early on Thursday after a short illness.

Formal ireguregu (condolence gathering) will begin on the chiefly island of Bau on Wednesday with the funeral expected on Friday. 

Ratu Joni was appointed Nauru's Chief Justice in September 2014.

RNZ reports he said Nauru is deeply saddened by Ratu Joni's death and the country and region had lost a great statesman.

A statement from the Nauru government said Ratu Joni, who is a former Vice-President of Fiji, died in Suva after a short illness yesterday and he will be buried at his home island of Bau next Friday.

Ratu Joni was appointed as Nauru's top judge in September 2014.

Mr Waqa said Ratu Joni was instrumental in the recent reforms of Nauru's legal system, and had re-established integrity and honour to Nauru's court.

Reports say he died in Suva after a short illness.

Ratu Joni had been Nauru's chief justice for the past two years.

He had been Fiji's Vice President for two years until December 2006 when he was removed in the military coup led by Frank Bainimarama who then purported to be the president for several weeks.

Ratu Joni also served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Solomon Islands set up in 2008 to deal with the aftermath of the ethnic tension.

Tonga's previous king made him a Lord.