New Attorney General sworn in |13 October 2017

Frank Ally was officially sworn in as the country’s new Attorney General in a ceremony held at State House yesterday.

His appointment as Attorney General was recommended by the Constitutional Appointments Authority (CAA) as per Article 76(1) of the Constitution.

The post became vacant on March 31, 2017 when Ronny Govinden, the former Attorney General, was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court.

Mr Ally took his oaths of allegiance to the constitution and of office before President Danny Faure. Also present were Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, President of the Court Appeal Justice Francis MacGregor, deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nicholas Prea, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mathilda Twomey, Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonté, members of the CAA, among other distinguished guests including members of Mr Ally’s family.

In his remarks to the press after the ceremony, Mr Ally said that he would do as his job description states and be the principal legal adviser to the government but also conduct his other duties independently and with impartiality.

Mr Ally added that he and the team he has inherited will have to make sure that all legal guidance they provide to the government is reliable in order for the government to be able to function within the rule of law.

Referring to the prosecution section of his office, which is one of the most scrutinised aspects of the Attorney General’s duties, he said that the decision to initiate a criminal proceeding will be based solely on evidence provided by enforcement agencies.

“I would like to emphasise that the Attorney General’s office does not handle investigations. These are handled by enforcement agencies such as the police force, FIU and the anti-corruption commission. Our office is here to prosecute people, not to persecute,” Mr Ally attempted to clarify.

Note that criminal prosecutions conducted by the Attorney General’s office should, at all times, be undertaken with objectivity and free of political or partisan considerations.

In reference to cases that have often been dropped or were lost due to lack of solid evidence, Mr Ally stated that the police force and in particular the criminal investigation unit should be more diligent and  competent.

“We cannot bring a feeble case before the court knowing that it will not hold up to scrutiny,” he told the press.

Another issue Mr Ally plans to tackle is the often negative public perception on his office which have grown over the years.

Additionally the newly appointed Attorney General intends to pay courtesy calls on the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, Commissioner of Police and various heads of enforcement agencies as from next week.

Mr Ally holds a degree in law from the University of Mauritius and was called to bar in 1998. Before receiving this appointment he was practicing as an attorney-at-law in his own chamber.