THE country’s new Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi was sworn into office by the Governor General Sir David Vunagi at Government House last Thursday.
He replaced former DPP Rachel Olutimayin whose contract ended on September 9.
Mr Kelesi, who hails from North Malaita, holds a Masters of Law from the University of Newcastle in Australia and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Papua New Guinea.
The young and energetic Kelesi attended Primary School at Afufu in North Malaita for six years. He did his Secondary School education at Adaua Secondary School in Lau-Mbaelelea Constituency and King George Sixth School in Honiara. He began his professional career at the National Court of PNG in 2008 after completing his legal training at the UPNG Legal Institute in Port Moresby.
Upon his return to Honiara in 2009, Mr Kelesi joined the DPP office as a Senior Legal Officer. He was later promoted to the Principal Legal Officer position in 2012 and in 2013, he was assigned to look after the DPP Provincial office in Gizo for a period of 4 years.
He was later promoted to the Deputy Director’s post until his appointment as the Director. With the help of the Australian Government, he had two legal attachments at the Sydney DPP Office and at the Darwin DPP Office in the Northern Territory.
“These trainings helped me a lot in my professional development. One of the significant parts of my career development was working with international advisers during the RAMSI period. They helped a lot in my career development. As I moved up further in my career, I faced many challenges and these challenges remain till today but must be addressed.”
He said the post of DPP comes with an enormous responsibility.
“A responsibility that requires me to uphold the principles of good governance and exercise honesty in serving the people of Solomon Islands.
“This position also comes with scrutiny. I am prepared to face and take all criticisms as a challenge and build on them. I have gone through many challenges over the year, and I will continue to face challenges in the discharge my new duties but I am determined to do my best in serving the nation,” he said.
Mr Kelesi said he owed his legal career to his late uncle, the former Auditor General and also his parents who taught him hard but rewarding lessons.
Mr Kelesi said he is confident that with the support of the young and vibrant team of prosecutors and administrative staff in the DPP Office, he will ensure the office efficient carries out the mandate it is entrusted with.
“I trust my young and vibrant team of prosecutors and my administrative staff, who are always ready to help in ensuring that our constitutional duties and functions are discharged according to the rule of law,” he said.
– GCU
