Francis Puleiwai, the acting Deputy Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), submitted her resignation to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) yesterday. Following a meeting with the JSC, she announced to the media that she could not continue working with the institution under the current circumstances.
Puleiwai mentioned that her decision to resign stemmed from press reports indicating that Barbara Malimali would remain the FICAC Commissioner. Her resignation was effective as of yesterday.
“I have tendered my resignation to the JSC,” she stated, adding, “Unfortunately, I will not be able to work in that institution when we know that a suspect is there.” This reference was directed at the new Commissioner, Malimali, who had been questioned by investigators upon her arrival at work yesterday morning.
When asked whether she believed the independence of FICAC had been compromised, Puleiwai expressed hope that it had not. She stated, “I hope for the best and I hope that justice will prevail in this matter and that all of this will be brought to light.”
Puleiwai addressed concerns raised by Attorney-General Graham Leung regarding the motives behind her investigation of Malimali, clarifying, “I don’t have any vested interest. The only interest that I have is for the rule of law to be upheld. The complaint was there before I even applied. I was merely doing that today. The only interest that I have is for the rule of law to be upheld and respected.”