Press Release
FICAC REMAINS INDEPENDENT
Posted by Media Team 01 October 2024
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) wishes to clarify the incorrect statements about the interference by the Coalition Government in an interview given by the former Acting Deputy Commissioner Ms Francis Puleiwai.
FICAC maintains that there hasn’t been any interference of any sort by the current Coalition Government or any Political Parties for any of its cases being investigated or any ongoing cases and due processes are strictly adhered to.
FICAC refers to its earlier press release 17/2024 issued on 27 March 2024 in which Ms Puleiwai stated that the interference was not from the current Coalition Government but rather from the former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed – Khaiyum. FICAC also makes reference to Mr Khaiyum’s letter of complaint to His Excellency the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere against Puleiwai on 2 April 2024. The status of that complaint by Mr Khaiyum is unknown.
In addressing the statement made by Puleiwai on Ministers directly contacting her on whether there were any complaints lodged against them, FICAC would like to state that complainants and person(s) of interest following up on their cases handled by the Commission does not necessarily mean that they are interfering with the processes at FICAC or their cases.
Person(s) of interest have rights accorded to them as prescribed under Section 13, 14 and 15 of the Constitution, including the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Person(s) of interest have the right to be heard, a principle also known as “audi alteram partem” and it is a fundamental aspect of natural justice. This ensures that a person(s) of interest have the right to be heard.
FICAC wishes to reiterate that complaints received are treated with high priority and nevertheless follow the due processes and procedures of FICAC.
Complaints received at FICAC have a turnaround time of seven (7) working days from the date of when the complaint is lodged, that is, the complaint is received and registered, assessed and forwarded to the Office of the Commissioner for further instructions.
Moreover, in accordance to Section 6.5 of the Commission Standing Orders (CSO) there is no specific turnaround time for an investigation into a case. The nature of the investigation may impose a specific timeframe. As per the current practice, the timeframe of the investigation is given by the Commissioner but the completion of the investigation will depend on the timely collation of evidential material, recording of Witness statements and caution interviews.
In the event an investigation cannot be completed within a required timeframe, the necessary submission is made to the Office of the Commissioner outlining the drawbacks and unforeseen circumstances faced during the course of the investigation and a request of extension is made.
Furthermore, there are some instances whereby the investigation is completed between fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) days whilst the Intelligence Based Investigations (IBI) such as a bribery case is completed within one to two days.
Here at FICAC, the decision to charge is only made after the evidence is gathered and analysed, person(s) of interest is interviewed and the overall evidence is assessed again.
FICAC has gone through drastic changes in the last year, with the change in leadership and staff turnover thus affecting the completion of its investigation cases.
FICAC is committed to having its pending cases completed and will continue to remain independent in our work as prescribed under the law.
