I am aware of the power play, and the state of play, and any attempt to divert the course of justice, I will oppose according to law, and you know how limited the Government is when it comes to FICAC - should there be a change of its leadership unwilling to play (legal) ball!
Keep the spirit up - I read and hear you, Loud and Clear!
That is the message sent by Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to Fiji Labour Party Leader and former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry after Chaudhry asked him to look into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the new Commissioner of FICAC.
While responding to questions from fijivillage News on Chaudhry denouncing the manner in which the appointment of Malimali was processed while she is under active investigation by FICAC for alleged abuse of office as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Rabuka says the Prime Minister has no role nor any influence in the appointment process of the Commissioner of FICAC.
Rabuka adds that it is the right and responsibility of any citizen in Fiji to fight abuse of authority, and if they have grounds to do that through the ‘proper’ process, they should.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption conducted a search at the Electoral Commission relating to an ongoing investigation against Election Commission Chair Barbara Malimali.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption conducted a search yesterday at the Electoral Commission relating to an ongoing investigation against Election Commission Chair Barbara Malimali.
Malimali is under investigation by FICAC for alleged abuse of office.
FICAC reiterates that it was not a "raid", however, it was a formal process of FICAC investigation, where their investigators uplift documentation required via the authority of a search warrant.
Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry has strongly denounced what he calls the ‘underhanded manner’ in which the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner FICAC is being processed while she is under active investigation by FICAC for alleged abuse of office as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
In a statement, Chaudhry claims they are aware of alleged undue pressure applied on the Acting Assistant Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai to desist from charging a number of Ministers.
However the Acting Deputy Commissioner, Francis Puleiwai has rejected this claim, saying no one has asked her to stop the investigations.
The FLP Leader says they will fight this alleged abuse of authority and power to protect some, and call on the Prime Minister to intervene and let FICAC complete its work on these reported cases.
Chaudhry says he had sent an email to the Prime Minister in whose absence this underhand move was being made.
Meanwhile Electoral Commission Chairperson, Barbara Malimali has been appointed the Commissioner of FICAC.
FICAC confirms the appointment was done through the Judicial Services Commission and signed off by the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
FICAC has confirmed it is conducting an investigation against Malimali for alleged abuse of office.
FICAC confirms they had conducted a search yesterday at the Electoral Commission.
They reiterated that it was not a "raid", however, it was a formal process of FICAC investigation, where their investigators uplift documentation required via the authority of a search warrant.
We have sent questions to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chair of the Judicial Services Commission Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
We are also trying to get Malimali’s comments.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai says Electoral Commission Chairperson, Barbara Malimali is still under investigation by FICAC although she is coming in as the FICAC Commissioner.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Puleiwai also confirms that they are proceeding with the investigation relating to some of the Ministers.
She stresses there has been no undue pressure applied on her to desist from charging a number of Ministers.
Puleiwai says she has not been asked to desist, as of today, and she was just informed this afternoon that Malimali was appointed by the President.
She says the complaints with FICAC against some of the Ministers are still ongoing.
The FICAC Commissioner’s vacancy was advertised earlier this year and Puleiwai confirms that she had applied for the position.
Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry has strongly denounced what he calls the ‘underhanded manner’ in which the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner FICAC is being processed while she is under active investigation by FICAC for alleged abuse of office as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
In a statement, Chaudhry claims they are aware of alleged undue pressure applied on the Acting Assistant Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai to desist from charging a number of Ministers.
However the Acting Deputy Commissioner, Francis Puleiwai has rejected this claim, saying no one has asked her to stop the investigations.
The FLP Leader says they will fight this alleged abuse of authority and power to protect some, and call on the Prime Minister to intervene and let FICAC complete its work on these reported cases.
Chaudhry says he had sent an email to the Prime Minister in whose absence this underhand move was being made.
Meanwhile Electoral Commission Chairperson, Barbara Malimali has been appointed the Commissioner of FICAC.
FICAC confirms the appointment was done through the Judicial Services Commission and signed off by the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
FICAC has confirmed it is conducting an investigation against Malimali for alleged abuse of office.
FICAC confirms they had conducted a search yesterday at the Electoral Commission.
They reiterated that it was not a "raid", however, it was a formal process of FICAC investigation, where their investigators uplift documentation required via the authority of a search warrant.
We have sent questions to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Chair of the Judicial Services Commission Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
We are also trying to get Malimali’s comments.
There is confirmation this morning that newly appointed FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali is currently being questioned by FICAC.
fijivillage News has received confirmation that Malimali is in custody and being questioned from earlier this morning in relation to a complaint of alleged abuse of office.
The office of the Electoral Commission was also searched for documents earlier this week.
Malimali is also the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai confirmed to fijvillage News last night that Malimali is still under investigation by FICAC although she is coming in as the FICAC Commissioner.
Puleiwai also confirms that they are proceeding with the investigation relating to some of the Ministers.
She stresses there has been no undue pressure applied on her to desist from charging a number of Ministers.
Puleiwai says she has not been asked to desist, as of today, and she was just informed yesterday afternoon that Malimali was appointed by the President.
She says the investigation into complaints with FICAC against some of the Ministers are still ongoing.
The FICAC Commissioner’s vacancy was advertised earlier this year and Puleiwai confirms that she had applied for the position.
We have sent questions to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka and Chair of the Judicial Services Commission, Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo. They are yet to respond.
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