Press Release

FICAC’s response to the Opposition Leader Honourable Inia Seruiratu

Posted by Media Team 27 December 2024

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) reiterates its commitment to impartiality and evidence-based decision-making, assuring the public that all investigations and subsequent actions are conducted without bias or any form of favour or fear.

This is in response to the statement released by the opposition leader, the Honourable Inia Seruiratu, regarding recent events involving the former Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, the Honourable Lynda Tabuya.

The Commission had received a complaint, referred by the office of the Supervisor of Elections (SOE), on 5 April 2024, alleging that Ms. Tabuya had failed to declare her spouse’s income and business affiliations as required by section 24 of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act.

A subsequent investigation was authorised by Former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Ms. Francis Puleiwai, on 24 April 2024 and an inquiry was conducted. The investigation confirmed that Ms. Tabuya’s marriage to Mr. Robert Semaan had been formally and legally dissolved in December 2016. Investigators then made a recommendation for closure of the file on 5 August 2024. Former ADC Ms. Puleiwai formally closed the file on 12 August 2024. The SOE was formally informed of the file closure via letter on 20 September 2024.

Neither party was represented by Ms. Barbara Malimali during the divorce case between Mr. Semaan and Ms. Tabuya while Ms. Malimali was in private practice.

Honourable Seruiratu, in his statement, further said he has a grave concern about the role of FICAC Commissioner Ms Barbara Malimali, who closed the case based on potentially false information, and there is a strong need to investigate whether the matter was influenced by Honourable Tabuya through Ms Malimali.

FICAC would like to state that the Honourable Seruiratu's statement regarding the closure of Ms Tabuya's cases by the current FICAC Commissioner, Ms. Barbara Malimali is inaccurate. The complaint, investigation, and file closure in relation to Ms. Tabuya’s matter all took place prior to Ms. Malimali’s appointment as Commissioner of FICAC.

FICAC strongly rejects the comments made by Honourable Seruiratu as they cast negative aspersions on the work that the Commission is mandated to do.

FICAC urges the public, including those in positions of authority, to be cautious and verify facts prior to making public statement(s) in regards to the operations of the Commission.