The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has clarified that the statement made by the Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh during the 2023/2024 budget debate in Parliament about the specific investigation in regards to the former CEO of Fiji Sugar Corporation, Abdul Khan is false and misconceived.
FICAC says the Minister made reference to the ongoing investigation by FICAC against Khan and alleged that FICAC had done nothing about the case referred to it three years ago.
They say there is an active ongoing investigation, and FICAC has put all possible efforts to secure the relevant evidence from various sources, and the Attorney-General is aware of the status of the case as he had sanctioned a procedural request of the investigation as required by law.
The Commission says the Minister could have been simply made aware of the status of the case had he verified his facts with the Office of the Attorney General or with FICAC before he made this statement.
They add at this stage of the investigation, divulging any finer details about the case publicly might jeopardize the outcome of this case, and as such, it would be in the best interest of the investigation to refrain from making any remarks publicly.
FICAC says the Minister also made remarks about FBC quoting that a decision is yet to be made either to retain or merge FICAC with the current Police system.”
They say concerning this statement about the operations of FICAC, the legal provisions under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji provide unambiguous guidance and the existence and continuation of FICAC are entrenched in the Constitution of Fiji.
