The Nadi Magistrate’s Court has denied former president of the Fiji Institute of Accountants Zarin Khan’s application to have a stop departure order lifted. This order, which was imposed by FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, remains in place as investigations continue.
Mr. Khan had requested the court to lift the order to enable him to travel for medical reasons. However, Magistrate Semi Babitu ruled that Ms. Malimali acted within her rights when issuing the stop departure order and noted that the court did not hold jurisdiction in this matter. His ruling was based on section 13 (1) (e) of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2007, which grants the Commissioner certain powers.
Following the ruling, Mr. Khan has been given a period of 28 days to appeal the decision.
This situation highlights the importance of maintaining legal processes during investigations, ensuring both accountability and integrity within public institutions. While the temporary setback may be challenging for Mr. Khan, it also emphasizes the safeguards in place meant to preserve justice and uphold the law. The possibility for an appeal suggests that there may still be an opportunity for resolution moving forward.
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