The Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Barbara Malimali, has filed a police complaint against former acting deputy commissioner Francis Pulewai. The Acting Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew, confirmed the filing last night.
The allegations center around allegations of misconduct during Pulewai’s tenure, where she allegedly overstepped her authority while serving in an acting capacity. Malimali faced an arrest and detention at FICAC headquarters on her first day in the position on September 5.
This situation, referred to as the Barbara-Gate saga due to its political implications, has garnered attention at high government levels, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suggesting the possibility of a Board of Inquiry over the weekend.
Efforts to reach Malimali for comments were unsuccessful, and Pulewai stated she had not been informed of the complaint against her. She left for Australia during the week of her resignation.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Rabuka indicated he had not yet received a formal resignation letter from Malimali. However, in a recent update on his official Facebook page, Rabuka confirmed Malimali’s resignation from her role as Chair of the Electoral Commission, revealing he had been notified via email from the Solicitor-General on September 14.
In response to these developments, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica criticized the previous government’s influence on FICAC but asserted that the Coalition Government operates independently. He acknowledged potential issues within FICAC and supported the Prime Minister’s call for an inquiry, noting that it would evaluate the organization’s operations over the last eight years.
Opposition MPs have echoed similar sentiments. Ioane Naivalurua, leader of the G9 crossbenchers, emphasized that the inquiry is crucial for good governance. Inia Seruiratu, the Opposition leader, urged Rabuka to follow through with the inquiry to address concerns surrounding Malimali’s appointment and allegations of interference.
Fiji Law Society President Wylie Clarke stated that the decision regarding the inquiry ultimately rests with the Prime Minister.