A Commission of Inquiry into the work of of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is the appropriate way to handle allegations directed against it says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Rabuka was responding to questions posed to him after the former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Pulewai gave an interview to overseas media alleging threats and obstruction by politicians and authorities to the investigaton against Suva lawyer and current head of FICAC, Barbara Malimali.
Rabuka said an independent commission would be better positioned to address the issues raised by Ms Pulewai, particularly those involving alleged ministerial interference in the FICAC investigation.
“If such an inquiry determines that there were indeed undue interference, the due process recommended by the Commission of Inquiry will have to be carried out,” Mr Rabuka said.
Rabuka said that there have been no changes to the laws that govern FICAC, and reiterated that government must, and will continue to respect the law.
The Prime Minister also condemned any threats that may have been made against Pulewai. He also clarified that he had not been made aware of any such threats, nor had these been reported to him, or to the Fiji Police.
Malimali was taken in for questioning by FICAC on September 5th on the order of Puleiwai. After taking up her position as head of FICAC, Malimali filed a complaint against Pulewai.
