Francis Pulewai, the former Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), has publicly addressed her departure and the contentious appointment of new Commissioner Barbara Malimali for the first time. Speaking from Australia, Pulewai expressed her profound disappointment over the handling of her situation, which she believes reflects an attempt by the organization she aimed to serve to “victimize” her for fulfilling her duties.
“It was really disappointing to see that the very arm of Government I expected to uphold the rule of law was the same entity that victimized me for just doing my job,” she stated. Pulewai suggested that officials were seeking a scapegoat, implying she had been unfairly targeted.
She raised concerns regarding the urgency of Malimali’s appointment while the latter was still under investigation. “The central question is, why was the appointment expedited when the individual was still being investigated?” said Pulewai. She noted that she learned of Malimali’s selection for the FICAC Commissioner position on August 28, and on August 30, she warned the President about the investigation, urging caution before confirming the appointment.
Despite the pending investigation, Malimali was appointed on September 4 at the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission. In the wake of the unfolding controversy, statements have been issued by the Attorney-General, the Minister for Justice, and the Judicial Services Commission.
Pulewai also revealed that she was not notified when the Chief Registrar directed staff to gather for a formal announcement of Malimali as Commissioner. Some managers expressed concerns about having Malimali, who was under investigation, as their new leader. “If due diligence had been conducted, I would have had no issues with her appointment,” she remarked.
Addressing reports of Malimali’s detention shortly after her appointment, Pulewai clarified that the situation was misunderstood. She explained that an invitation was extended to Malimali for questioning, but when she declined, detainment proceeded.
Pulewai defended her own authority in investigating cases, asserting that she had equivalent powers as Acting Deputy Commissioner. She added that the Prime Minister was not made aware of Malimali’s resignation from the Electoral Commission prior to her new appointment.
Regarding charges against Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, Pulewai stated that evidence had already been documented, emphasizing that accusations should be resolved in court rather than dismissed as frivolous.
Pulewai addressed concerns about the citizenship status of the complainant, affirming that anyone could file complaints regardless of their background. She highlighted the importance of treating all complaints with due seriousness.
Finally, she described the current situation within FICAC as chaotic, urging for transparency and accountability. Pulewai expressed regrets that addressing the investigation before proceeding with appointments could have prevented the current turmoil. She also reported receiving threats since her departure, noting that her vehicle had been tampered with as she prepared to leave for Australia.