The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is responsible for lifting and overseeing the reasoning behind the Stop Order issued for former Deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, not the Ministry of Immigration.
Minister for Immigration Pio Tikoduadau made this statement yesterday in response to inquiries about the status of Ms. Puleiwai’s stop order. He noted that updates and minor reasoning regarding such orders do not fall under his jurisdiction.
“No, it does not come to me,” Mr. Tikoduadua explained, emphasizing that there are designated laws and agencies responsible for placing stop orders at the border.
Ms. Puleiwai departed Fiji for Australia on September 7, shortly after resigning from her position on September 5. Previously, she had alleged that the rule of law was not being upheld at FICAC, citing concerns over ministerial charges and interference from senior officials within the judiciary.
A Stop Order was issued following her resignation, although she had already exited the country by that time. Mr. Tikoduadua reiterated that the authority to lift such an order does not reside with him, adding that any decision to remove it would depend on the original authority that imposed it as well as the court or other institutions involved.