The Fiji Independent Commission has notified the Fijian Elections Office that it has concluded investigations into three cases referred in September 2023. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) reported on the preliminary inquiries concerning complaints against the FijiFirst party.
One of the complaints involved alleged corrupt practices linked to the Fiji First Australia Association Incorporated, including accusations against Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Tito Bainimarama. The investigation revealed that the list of donations submitted by the FijiFirst Party to the Registrar of Political Parties for the years 2015 to 2022 did not include contributions from the Fiji First Australia Association, a registered entity in Australia. Efforts to obtain additional documentation from the complainant, Alexandra Forwood, proved unsuccessful, as she was unable to supply the necessary documents or dates pertaining to the alleged misconduct.
The inquiry also looked into the assertion that Tito Bainimarama was associated with the former FijiFirst Party leader Voreqe Bainimarama. Investigators found no records in key governmental databases for Tito Bainimarama, confirming that he is not the former party leader as claimed.
Another set of complaints addressed accusations of collusion and conflict of interest involving Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Mohammed Saneem, and Ariff Ali, who was alleged to have donated to FijiFirst while serving as a civil servant. Preliminary findings indicated that neither Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum nor Mohammed Saneem were shareholders of Formscaff (Fiji) Pte Limited, and that the contract was awarded following proper tender procedures.
The investigation also involved a complaint against His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, along with Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Charan Jeath Singh. Assistance from the Financial Intelligence Unit provided sufficient information to refute the allegations against them.
Based on the results of these preliminary inquiries and subsequent legal opinions, 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.