FICAC has today said that it will not be providing any comments on the statement issued by the Leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, nor on any queries by Members of Parliament or wanna-be Members of Parliament.
FICAC has given this response to fijivillage News after we asked FICAC’s Acting Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika if she is related to the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka as claimed by Chaudhry.
We also asked Rokoika for comments on what is being done based on FICAC earlier planning to appeal the case of former Fisheries Minister, Kalaveti Ravu, who her law firm had earlier represented.
While responding to this matter, FICAC says in accordance with Section 13(f) of the FICAC Act, Ravu’s appeal file was formally transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a decision made by Rokoika well before it's first call before Justice Daniel Gounder on 27th July.
Chaudhry has raised the issue of the legality of Rokoika’s acting appointment as he says the FICAC Commissioner name is to be recommended by the Judicial Services Commission, not by the Prime Minister.
Chaudhry also raises the issue that Rokoika is listed as a partner in the law firm of Rokoika and Vakalalabure Lawyers of Suva.
She represented the former Minister for Fisheries Kalaveti Ravu in his corruption trial in the Suva Magistrates Court.
The FICAC case is now on appeal and has been taken over by the Office of the DPP.
It is listed for hearing on 14th July 2025. Chaudhry says the law firm of Rokoika and Vakalalabure is representing Ravu.
He says it is highly improper that Rokoika be Acting Commissioner FICAC and partner in a law firm at the same time, and it is a serious case of conflict of interest.
The FLP Leader says even if she resigns as a partner, the conflict of interest remains.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Rabuka has not made any comments on whether he is related to Rokoika, questions about the appointment of Rokoika and the conflict of interest issues.
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