Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka states that a Commission of Inquiry is the most appropriate and impartial means to address allegations surrounding the work of FICAC.
Rabuka was responding to questions regarding an interview given to overseas media by former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai.
The Prime Minister says an independent commission would be better positioned to address the issues raised by Puleiwai, particularly those involving alleged ministerial interference in FICAC investigations.
Rabuka says if such an inquiry determines that there was indeed undue interference, the due process recommended by the Commission of Inquiry will have to be carried out.
He says there have been no changes to the laws that govern FICAC, and reiterated that government must, and will continue to respect the law.
On allegations that Puleiwai had been threatened, the Prime Minister has condemned any such threats if indeed such threats were made.
He also clarified that he had not been made aware of any such threats, nor had these been reported to him, or to the Fiji Police.
Puleiwai has raised the question why Barbara Malimali was appointed as FICAC Commissioner when she was still under investigation by FICAC in relation to a complaint against her as Chair of the Electoral Commission, how the Prime Minister was unaware as the Chair of the Constitutional Offices Commission that Malimali had resigned as Chair of the Electoral Commission, some Managers of FICAC raising concerns on why Malimali was appointed when she was still under investigation, the planned charges against Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad, and the alleged threats made to her and allegations of her vehicle tyre getting slashed.
FICAC is yet to provide an update on the investigation regarding some of the cabinet ministers.
Malimali’s case has been referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Deputy DPP, John Rabuku has assessed the file and referred it to the Director CID for further investigations as the investigation is incomplete.
Professor Biman Prasad had earlier said that he had referred the issue of Puleiwai sending letters that he would be charged soon, to his lawyers.
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