Attorney-General Graham Leung has warned Parliament against using the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) as a tool to target or punish political opponents.
In his inaugural speech, Leung stated, “That would be an abuse of power, and unacceptable. Fiji is not a police or totalitarian state. Our long nightmare is over – there can be no returning to the dark days of tyranny where agents of the state were arbitrarily sent to the homes of people who were considered to stand in the way of the government.”
Leung also highlighted the unfinished business before FICAC, emphasizing the urgency of holding individuals accountable for corruption. He warned of the destabilizing potential of corruption and its threat to the rule of law and the country’s economic development.
He urged FICAC staff to perform their duties according to law, follow the evidence, and uphold the constitutional mandate to prosecute those who have misappropriated public funds or abused their office for personal gain.
The Attorney-General stated that FICAC is a constitutional body established to receive, investigate, and prosecute various crimes, including bribery and corruption. He highlighted that FICAC operates independently and is not under the direction or control of any person or authority.
“One might well then ask, so who is FICAC answerable to? Broadly speaking, FICAC is answerable to the law and the people of this country,” Leung said.
Stressing the need for strong and experienced leadership, he mentioned that the position of Commissioner of FICAC has been recently advertised. Leung also pointed to pending FICAC cases dating back as far as 2014, noting difficulties in securing confirmed court dates and the backlog of cases awaiting trial.
The Attorney General called for the restoration of a dedicated ‘corruption court’ and indicated his intention to consult closely with stakeholders to justify this need. He emphasized that corruption and poor governance are significant security challenges that undermine democracy, the rule of law, and economic development.
Leung concluded by affirming that FICAC must carry out its duties fearlessly, following the facts and evidence, no matter how difficult or inconvenient.