Redacted COI Report to be made available to public and witnesses - Rabuka

Copies of the redacted Commission of Inquiry Report will be made available to both the public and witnesses following directives issued by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Speaking to fijivillage News, Rabuka confirmed that individuals will be able to access the report electronically.

He says the Secretary for Information has been authorized to facilitate public access to the electronic version.

The Prime Minister also stated that he will formally inform President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, that the government is acting on this particular recommendation from the COI.

Police and FICAC are currently investigating certain contents of the report after it was referred to them by the President.

According to the document being circulated, the COI recommendations include that all of the potential offences in the events described in the report be investigated by FICAC and/or the Police and if the evidence warrants this prosecuted so long as no evidence taken under the COI is admissible against any person who may be so charged, that all of the files that have been closed under Barbara Malimali’s tenure are reviewed by independent senior counsel, the handling of Malimali’s file by the Office of the DPP and the Police is reviewed by independent senior counsel, the FICAC Act be reviewed including its wide powers, the report is to be made public with the appropriate redactions, and should the report not be made available to the public, the report be made available to each of the witnesses on a confidential basis with the appropriate redactions.

The report also raises serious questions regarding the appointment of Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.