Malimali had already resigned as Chair of Electoral Commission before being appointed as FICAC Commissioner - Turaga

FICAC Commissioner Barbra Malimali had resigned from her role as the Chair of the Electoral Commission before she took up the current position at FICAC.

This was confirmed by the Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga when asked by fijivillage News if she is still the Chair of the Electoral Commission.

Turaga says the position at FICAC was advertised and was put up by the Judicial Services Commission.

He says it was a shortlisted process and at the conclusion of the interview, Malimali was recommended by the Judicial Services Commission to the President to be Commissioner which is the due process.

He adds it was unfortunate that Malimali was arrested on the day she had to start work.

When asked if former FICAC Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Pulewai had the power to order an investigation to be conducted on Malimali, Turaga says Pulewai was the Acting Deputy.

He says all the powers are vested with the Acting Deputy at the time there was no Commissioner and when the Commissioner was appointed, they should have consulted with her.