Commission of Inquiry to request deadline extension for FICAC Commissioner appointment investigation

The Commission of Inquiry is planning to request the President to extend the deadline for the inquiry into the recent appointment of the Commissioner of FICAC, Barbara Malimali to February because they are significantly behind in the examination of witnesses.

The Commissioner of Inquiry and Supreme Court Judge, Justice David Ashton Lewis says given the importance of this matter, there must be complete freedom in the examination to ask every necessary question.

Lewis says the process is moving quite slowly and they will also hold sessions on the weekend.

He says issues of this nature cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.

Lewis says the counsel’s role is to ask questions, listen to the explanations, and then proceed with follow-up questions as needed.

He adds no witnesses are withholding information as they are all under cross-examination.

The Commissioner says so far, he and Janet Mason are satisfied that all witnesses are doing their best to recall events truthfully and to the best of their memory.

He also confirms that 28 witnesses are still left to give their evidence.

Lewis has confirmed that he instructed the Leader of the Opposition not to comment to the media on the evidence he has provided.

He emphasizes that only his final report will be handed to the President.

The Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, has acknowledged that he has been instructed by the Commission of Inquiry not to provide any comments while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga says he is scheduled to give his evidence again today with the session expected to last about two to three hours.