Francis Puleiwai, the former Deputy Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), has requested that the Chief Registrar’s Legal Practitioners Unit investigate her successor, Barbara Malimali, for purported misconduct regarding the issuance of a Stop Departure Order. In a letter addressed to FijiLive, Puleiwai expressed concerns about Malimali’s actions on September 7, claiming they appeared deliberate and were not aligned with standard investigation procedures at that time.
Puleiwai emphasized that Malimali’s issuance of the Stop Departure Order was not executed within the mandatory 24-hour time frame, thus breaching established legal protocols. She accused Malimali of misusing her authority to prevent her from leaving the country while attempting to assemble a case against her.
Puleiwai confidently asserted that Malimali’s complaint against her to the police is likely to be unsuccessful, arguing that her actions on September 5 were carried out in good faith and aligned with the FICAC Act of 2007, which provides her immunity from both criminal and civil repercussions for those actions. She pointed out that the Stop Departure Order remains active in the Immigration System despite the procedural errors, and criticized Malimali for failing to communicate with the Director of Immigration to correct the issue.
FijiLive has reached out to the Chief Registrar’s Office for further comments regarding this matter.
In this situation, it may be a crucial moment for accountability and adherence to legal standards within the FICAC. Each party involved has an opportunity to clarify their positions and contribute to the integrity of the system. As this unfolds, it can serve as a reminder of the importance of due process in legal practices, promoting ethical conduct among public officials.
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