FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali was unaware of an ongoing investigation against her until a raid was conducted at the Electoral Commission’s office on September 3, concerning allegations of abuse of office.
Malimali expressed that she was not informed about her impending detention or questioning when she arrived for work on September 5. “If they had told me I would come in and cooperated with their investigation,” she stated, highlighting her surprise at the events that unfolded on her first day back.
“The allegations lack any foundation. I was performing my duties as chair of the Electoral Commission,” she added. Malimali mentioned that she had not communicated with former FICAC acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai, who authorized the raid and her subsequent arrest.
“I had not spoken to her prior to that. Therefore, I was genuinely unaware of the investigation,” she clarified. Malimali indicated that she would refrain from commenting on ongoing investigations involving her.