Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has told SODELPA MP Ro Filipe Tuisawau to resign from his position as he does not recognise the constitution after Ro Filipe claimed in parliament that there is a real perception that FICAC has been used for political oppression and victimization.
While speaking in parliament on the Consolidated Review Report on the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and 2015, Bainimarama says FICAC investigations are independent whether it is a Member of Parliament being charged or anyone who holds public office.
Meanwhile, Ro Filipe claims FICAC, after the 2006 coup has been allegedly used to harm the political opponents and since 2007, the Attorney General’s Office has been continuously having consultation with FICAC.
Ro Filipe adds that those that have been prosecuted include Imrana Jalal, Sakiusa Tuisolia, Sitiveni Rabuka and others.
Acting Attorney General, Faiyaz Koya says the constitution states that in the performance of its functions or the exercise of its authority and powers, FICAC shall be independent and shall not be subject to direction or control of any person or authority except the court of law or otherwise prescribed by the written law.
He says the independence of FICAC is guaranteed under the constitution and there is no reason why anyone for any reason should doubt that.
The Acting Attorney General says it is wrong to say that FICAC is being influenced for political oppression.
He also says that regularly updating the Attorney General’s Office is not in any way influencing decisions for investigation or prosecution and it is only there to ensure that FICAC operates independently and has all the financial and administrative support from the government to independently carry out its constitutional duty.
Koya also says that they should not be talking about the cases mentioned by Ro Filipe because they were or are being dealt with by an independent body.
Meanwhile National Federation Party MP, Pio Tikoduadua says FICAC must not be used as an oppressive tool by any government and should not report to any government minister except the President.
Tikoduadua says the acquittal of cases such as against former SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Agriculture Dr. Mahendra Reddy, necessitates FICAC to relook at its role as the policing authority following referrals of cases by the Supervisor of Elections.
He further says FICAC needs to clearly define what action constitutes breach of laws.
He says the statistics at the bottom of the FICAC webpage are startling adding that the success rate of FICAC is abysmal.
Tikoduadua says the latest stats on the website shows that there have been 67,417 complaints received, 1,570 cases investigated, 366 individuals charged and 115 individuals convicted.
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