Madraiwiwi, a lawyer, was the vice president from 2004 to 2006, until he was dismissed from office on December 5 by the military commander Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in a military coup.

He was forcibly evicted from his official residence and from his office on the night of December 6. He announced in the second week of January 2007 that he was "on leave" and intended to resume private practice as a lawyer at Howards law firm.

He later became Chief Justice of Nauru.

He was also a human rights commissioner and former chairman of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, a pro-democracy and human rights organisation.