The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has reaffirmed its dedication to fairness and evidence-driven decision-making, assuring citizens that all investigations are carried out impartially, without any prejudice or external influence.
In response to comments from Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu pertaining to the former Minister for Women, Lynda Tabuya, FICAC clarified that it received a complaint through the Supervisor of Elections’ office on April 5, 2024. This complaint alleged that Ms. Tabuya had not disclosed her spouse’s income and business affiliations as mandated by the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act.
On April 24, 2024, a probe was initiated by Former Acting Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Francis Puleiwai. The investigation determined that Ms. Tabuya’s marriage to Robert Semaan was legally dissolved in December 2016. Investigators recommended closing the case on August 5, 2024, and the file was officially closed on August 12, 2024, with the Supervisor of Elections being notified on September 20, 2024.
FICAC noted that neither Ms. Tabuya nor Mr. Semaan had legal representation from Ms. Barbara Malimali during their divorce proceedings while she was still in private practice. Seruiratu expressed concerns about Ms. Malimali’s role in closing the case and insinuated potential misconduct. However, FICAC strongly refuted these allegations, asserting that all actions regarding Ms. Tabuya were completed before Ms. Malimali assumed her position as Commissioner.
FICAC condemned Seruiratu’s comments, emphasizing that such statements undermine the integrity of the Commission’s work. The Commission encouraged the public and authorities to fact-check before making declarations about its operations.
This situation highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in governance, emphasizing that allegations must be backed by facts to maintain public trust in institutions. Overall, the FICAC’s commitment to an unbiased process is a positive step towards upholding integrity in Fijian politics.
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