Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi dies at 59 Featured
Nauru Chief Justice Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi (right) swears in President Baron Waqa (left) in July 2016. Photo: Republic of Nauru Government
30 September, 2016. Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi known in Tonga as Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga who is Nauru's Chief Justice and a former Fiji Vice President has passed away at the age of 59.
ABC reported he died in Suva's Colonial War Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
Ratu Joni held the traditional title, Roko Tui Bau. 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.
He joined Tonga’s Law Lords becoming Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga in January 2011 through a life peerage bestowed by Tonga’s King George Tupou V.
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.
He is considered by many to be probably the most widely esteemed Fijian chief in 21st century Fiji.
