Filimone Jitoko
{{Short description|Fijian politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = The Honourable
| name = Filimone Jitoko
| image =
| office1 = 4th Speaker of the Parliament
| term_start1 = 12 November 2024
| term_end1 =
| primeminister1 = Sitiveni Rabuka
| predecessor1 = Naiqama Lalabalavu
| successor1 =
| office2 = Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nauru
| term_start2 = 2017
| term_end2 = 2021
| predecessor2 = Joni Madraiwiwi
| successor2 = Daniel Fatiaki
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1949|10|03}}
| birth_place = Kabara, Fiji
| death_date =
| party =
| education = Victoria University of Wellington
| spouse = Elina Senirewa Jitoko
| children = 4
}}
Filimone Jitoko (born 3 October 1949) is a Fijian diplomat, jurist, and politician who has served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji since 2024. Prior to his tenure as speaker he was the Solicitor-General of Fiji from 1993 to 1996, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nauru from 2017 to 2021.
Early life and education
Filimone Jitoko was born in Kabara, Fiji, on 3 October 1949, to Isireli Rarawa and Leba Wainise.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}}{{sfn|Parliament of Fiji}} He attended District School Kabara, Ratu Kadavulevu School, and Queen Victoria School. In 1969, he was a member of a school rubgy team.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}} At the Victoria University of Wellington Jitoko graduated with a Bachelor of Laws after attending 1972 to 1976.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}}{{sfn|Nauru}}
Career
Jitoko was admitted to the bar of Fiji and New Zealand in 1978. He lectured at the University of the South Pacific.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}}{{sfn|Parliament of Fiji}}{{sfn|Nauru}} He was governor of Adi Cakobau School and president of the Fiji Cricket Association.{{sfn|Parliament of Fiji}}
Jitoko worked as a State Law Office before serving as Solicitor-General of Fiji from 1993 to 1996. He was a resident magistrate and puisne judge in the High Court of Fiji.{{sfn|Cava|2023}}{{sfn|Nauru}} From 1985 to 1987, he was the chief registrar of the Supreme Court of Fiji.{{sfn|Nauru}} From 1988 to 1994, he was a legal advisor to the Great Council of Chiefs.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}} From 2017 to 2021, he served as the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Nauru.{{sfn|Cava|2023}}
Jitoko was Fiji's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Denmark, Israel, and the Holy See. He was the counselor for Fiji's permanent representative to the United Nations and its embassy in the United States.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}}
Naiqama Lalabalavu, the speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, was appointed as President of Fiji. On 12 November 2024, the parliament selected Jitoko to replace Lalabalavu.{{sfn|Parliament of Fiji}}
Personal life
Jitoko married Elina Senirewa Jitoko, with whom he had four children.{{sfn|Chaudhary|2024}}{{sfn|Parliament of Fiji}}
References
{{reflist}}
Works cited
{{refbegin|30em}}
=News=
- {{Cite news |last=Cava |first=Litia |date=2 November 2023 |title=Jitoko takes helm as President of Court of Appeal |work=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/jitoko-takes-helm-as-president-of-court-of-appeal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622224126/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/jitoko-takes-helm-as-president-of-court-of-appeal/ |archive-date=22 June 2025}}}
- {{Cite news |last=Chaudhary |first=Felix |date=12 November 2024 |title='Eminent, illustrious and well-respected', PM lauds new Speaker |work=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://ayibopost.com/smith-augustin-provided-sex-workers-to-journalists-in-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622223123/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/eminent-illustrious-and-well-respected-pm-lauds-new-speaker/ |archive-date=22 June 2025}}}
=Web=
- {{Cite web |title=Experienced Legal Mind Appointed to Nauru Supreme Court |publisher=Nauru |url=https://www.nauru.gov.nr/government-information-office/media-release/experienced-legal-mind-appointed-to-nauru-supreme-court.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622224042/https://www.nauru.gov.nr/government-information-office/media-release/experienced-legal-mind-appointed-to-nauru-supreme-court.aspx |archive-date=22 June 2025 |ref={{harvid|Nauru}}}}
- {{Cite web |title=Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji |publisher=Parliament of Fiji |url=https://www.parliament.gov.fj/speaker-of-parliament/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622230156/https://www.parliament.gov.fj/speaker-of-parliament/ |archive-date=22 June 2025 |access-date=22 June 2025 |ref={{harvid|Parliament of Fiji}}}}
{{refend}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jitoko, Filimone}}
Category:Speakers of the Parliament of Fiji
Category:Ambassadors of Fiji to the Holy See
Category:Ambassadors of Fiji to Denmark
Category:Ambassadors of Fiji to Israel
Category:High commissioners of Fiji to the United Kingdom
Category:Chief justices of Nauru
Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni