Parliament Speaker delivers keynote address at the ODPP Annual Conference

Those were the strong remarks by the Speaker of Parliament the Hon. Filimone Jitoko, whilst opening the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) 2025 Annual Conference held at the Crowne Plaza in Nadi.

The Hon. Speaker used this analogy to reaffirm the intrinsic connection between legislative oversight and the integrity of our justice system.

The Hon. Speaker further emphasised that Parliament is not merely a law-making body; it is a guardian of democratic accountability.

The Hon. Speaker highlighted that Parliament serves as a vigilant guardian of justice through its Standing Committees, whereby they review legal reforms, evaluate institutional performance, and ensure that our justice system remains transparent, equitable, and responsive to the needs of our people.

Hon. Jitoko further emphasised the link of the Parliament’s e-Parliament journey and the digital shift in parliamentary governance to the ODPP’s Conference theme, by exemplifying how technology can modernise justice delivery, enhance institutional accountability, and redefine prosecution within a transparent, citizen-centred framework.

He stressed the need for legal institutions to evolve alongside technological advancement, stating, “Today, let us pledge to build a justice system that is agile, resilient, and digitally empowered—one that safeguards our people and upholds the rule of law across both physical and virtual domains”.

“Let us ensure that the modern Fijian courtroom is a place where justice is not just done, but is seen to be done swiftly, fairly, and in a manner that meets the demands of our time”.

The 2025 ODPP Conference theme of, “Redefining Prosecution in the Modern Courtroom”, is a powerful call to action and it challenges the move beyond tradition.