The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has addressed allegations made by former Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, who claimed there was interference from the Coalition Government. FICAC has described these statements as inaccurate.
In a statement issued this afternoon, FICAC affirmed that neither the current Coalition Government nor any political party has interfered with its investigations or ongoing cases, emphasizing that all procedures have been followed meticulously.
Puleiwai had previously mentioned that any interference stemmed from former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, not the present government. FICAC referred to Sayed-Khaiyum’s complaint to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere in April 2024, the current status of which is uncertain.
In response to Puleiwai’s assertion that ministers had reached out directly to her regarding complaints against them, FICAC clarified that such communications do not automatically imply interference.
The Commission highlighted that individuals involved in cases possess constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
FICAC also reiterated its commitment to prioritize complaints, with a processing timeframe of seven working days from the date of filing to assessment. However, the duration of investigations can differ, with some cases requiring as little as 14 to 21 days, while intelligence-based inquiries, such as those related to bribery, may be resolved within just a few days.
Additionally, FICAC pointed out that recent changes in leadership and staffing have affected the pace of investigations but assured that the organization is dedicated to resolving outstanding cases and maintaining its independence as mandated by law.