The Fiji Independent Commission has notified the Fijian Elections Office that it has closed three investigation files initially opened in September 2023. FICAC conducted preliminary inquiries into complaints against the FijiFirst party concerning various allegations.
One notable complaint related to alleged corrupt practices involving the FijiFirst Party and its association with the Fiji First Australia Association Incorporated, particularly focusing on individuals Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Tito Bainimarama. FICAC revealed that the donations submitted by the FijiFirst Party to the Registrar of Political Parties from 2015 to 2022 did not include any from the aforementioned association, which is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
FICAC also sought further documentation from the complainant, Alexandra Forwood, but was unsuccessful, as she could not provide the necessary documents or specific dates related to the alleged corrupt practices. The investigation also examined claims linking Tito Bainimarama to former FijiFirst Party Leader Voreqe Bainimarama. The findings indicated no registration records exist for Tito Bainimarama in vital government databases, confirming that he is not the former leader as alleged.
Another set of complaints targeted Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mohammed Saneem regarding alleged collusion, conflict of interest, and a donation to FijiFirst by Ariff Ali while serving as a civil servant. Preliminary findings confirmed that neither Sayed-Khaiyum nor Saneem are shareholders of Formscaff (Fiji) Pte Limited, and the contract in question was awarded through proper tender processes enforced by the Fijian Elections Office.
Additionally, a separate complaint involved His Excellency, the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, along with Sayed-Khaiyum and Charan Jeath Singh. FICAC requested assistance from the Financial Intelligence Unit to review financial information related to these individuals. The information provided was sufficient to disprove the allegations, and FICAC verified the assets and liabilities outlined in the FIU report.
Following the preliminary inquiries and legal consultations, FICAC has informed the Supervisor of Elections that there is no evidence supporting the claims made by the complainant, leading to the closure of the investigation files.