Investigation into the matter relating to complaints against former FICAC Commissioner will be pursued - AG

Attorney General Siromi Turaga confirms that the investigation into the matter relating to complaints against former FICAC Commissioner, Rashmi Aslam by the Acting Supervisor of Elections, the Fiji Labour Party Leader and others will be pursued.

Turaga says the Tribunal set up to hear the allegations of misconduct against the suspended Chief Justice, Kamal Kumar and suspended Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho, were also expected to hear the matter regarding Commissioner of FICAC, Aslam.

He says the new FICAC Commissioner will need to pursue any complaints against Aslam.

Turaga says the clear direction of FICAC will be made by the new Commissioner.

The Judicial Legal Services Commission will sit next week to hear the Attorney General’s recommendations for that position.

Meanwhile Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says he is relieved that Rashmi Aslam has resigned.

Chaudhry says he had called for Aslam’s dismissal last year for not prosecuting the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Suresh Chandra and the former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem for the alleged payment to Chandra of fraudulent sitting allowance claims.

The FLP Leader says the case was referred to Aslam by the leaders of the FLP, Unity Fiji Party and Freedom Alliance Party. Chaudhry says Aslam then refused to act citing lack of evidence as his reason.

He says the same case was officially referred to him for investigation early this year, by the Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa.

Chaudhry says when he last enquired with her a month ago, she informed him that she was still waiting for FICAC's response.

He says it is now for Attorney General, Siromi Turaga to explain why Aslam is being let off the hook without being held accountable for failure to discharge his duties according to law.

Chaudhry says he should also clear the air on why the Chandra/ Saneem case is still not finalised despite the official complaint lodged months ago by the Acting Supervisor of Elections.