There’s no interference in FICAC – George Langman

FICAC’s Deputy Commissioner George Langman says no one has ever interfered in their work in the last nine years and their independence is respected.

Langman highlighted this during the Public Accounts Committee meeting when Opposition MP Sela Nanovo asked whether FICAC is compromising its independence by leaning again to the Office of the Attorney General.

Nanovo asked this question when FICAC Administration Manager, Lisa Elaisa agreed with the Opposition MP Aseri Radrodro that their line of reporting is to the President but they seek assistance of the Attorney General if the need arises.

Elaisa says this is according to their promulgation.

She then highlighted that they always send their policies to the Solicitor General’s Office for legal vetting and once it is signed off, then it is implemented.

Opposition MP Aseri Radrodro then raised the question on why this is sent to the Solicitor General’s Office when FICAC should be independent.

Elaisa said they especially refer administration and private issues to them just to see that FICAC's policies are in line with the laws.

Radrodro then raised the question on who is overseeing FICAC’s policies and processes to ensure that whatever is developed is a workable one and is transparent.

FICAC’s Deputy Commissioner Langman says they have an internal compliance unit that reports directly to him and that is the check and balance that they have within the system.

He says they do not have an external board or organisation to check on their work.

Meanwhile, Manager Legal Rashmi Aslam then said that when we speak about policy, it should not be forgotten that they are a law enforcement agency.

He says as a law enforcement agency, they work within the legal framework of the country.