There is no confirmation from the country's anti-corruption body, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and the President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, and the Judicial Services Commission on the whereabouts of Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika.
However we know that the JSC which has the responsibility to recommend the appointment of the FICAC Commissioner to the President is about to commence its interview process for a FICAC Commissioner after the application period closure.
Questions sent to the President and the JSC chaired by Chief Justice Salesi Temo on Rokoika remain unanswered.
Rokoika has not been in office for a few weeks now, and when we asked FICAC on who is handling the operations, no response has been sent.
The JSC had left Rokoika's appointment issue to the court after the Prime Minister appealed the High Court ruling.
fijivillage understands the JSC has not had any communication with Rokoika as they did not recommend her to the President for appointment as Acting FICAC Commissioner under the law.
Rabuka has appealed High Court Judge, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere's ruling that the dismissal of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner was unlawful, and one of the orders being sought in the appeal papers by the Prime Minister is an order preserving the status quo prior to the issuance of the judgement under appeal, including that the appointment of the Acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika remains.
There is also a judicial review brought by Fijian and British citizen Charlie Charters against Lavi Rokoika and her illegal appointment will be called on 4th November in the Suva High Court to fix a hearing date.
Charters claims that the Prime Minister's advice and the President's appointment of Rokoika in May 2025 were unlawful and ultra vires (beyond legal authority), arguing that the recommendation power rests solely with the Judicial Services Commission after consulting the Attorney General.
When the matter was called earlier this month, Rokoika did not appear or did not instruct any lawyers.
FICAC appeared in the case and said they were representing the institution, not the Acting Commissioner.
When fijivillage News questioned Rabuka today, he said the Judicial Services Commission is responsible for administering Acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika's leave, and he does not know her current whereabouts.
The Prime Minister says Rokoika was appointed, and that marked the end of his involvement in the appointment process.
When questioned about who Rokoika submits her progress reports to, as required under the Constitution, given that there is currently no Attorney General, Rabuka says she submits her reports to the Attorney General's Office.
We have sought comments again from the JSC.
