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FICAC closes files referred by SOE
Posted by Media Team 19 September 2024
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has written to the Fijian Elections Office on 24 July 2024 advising that it has closed off three (3) files which were referred for investigation in September last year.
FICAC has concluded its preliminary inquiry into the complaints highlighted in the letter against FijiFirst on the following matters:
Complaint on the alleged corrupt practices concerning FijiFirst Party False Declaration specifically against Fiji First Australia Association Incorporated – Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and one Tito Bainimarama;
The list of donations provided to the Registrar of Political Partes by FijiFirst Party for the years 2015 – 2022 did not list Fiji First Australia Association Incorporated, a registered entity on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. FICAC had also requested further documentation from the complainant Ms Alexandra Forwoord to which proved futile as the complainant was unable to provide documents nor dates of the alleged corrupt practices.
Preliminary investigation was also conducted on the allegation of one Tito Bainimarama being linked to the former FijiFirst Party Leader Voreqe Bainimarama. Findings confirmed that there are no records with Births, Deaths & Marriages, Land Transport Authority, Immigration and the Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority for Tito Bainimarama. Therefore, FICAC can confirm that Tito Bainimarama is not the former FijiFirst Party Leader Voreqe Bainimarama as alleged.
Complaints against Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr Mohammed Saneem for collusion as well as conflict of interest and Mr Arif Ali for a donation to FijiFirst whilst being a civil servant;
Preliminary findings confirmed that Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr Mohammed Saneem are not shareholders of Formscaff (Fiji) Pte Limited and the contract was awarded following the Tender Process of the FEO.
Further preliminary findings also confirmed that the tender procedure and process was followed by the Tender Board in relation to Xiarch Solutions Pvt Ltd who was awarded a tender for the 2022 General Elections.
Complaint against His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr Charan Jeath Singh.
Preliminary investigation sought assistance from the Financial Intelligence Unit on the financial information regarding His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, Mr Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum and Mr Charan Jeath Singh. Information provided by the Fiji FIU was sufficient to disprove the allegations. FICAC has also verified the Assets and Liabilities received from the Fiji FIU report and can confirm the same.
Based on the outcome of the preliminary inquiry and the legal opinion rendered thereafter, FICAC had informed the Supervisor of Elections that there is no evidence to support the claims made by the complainant therefore FICAC has closed the files.