FICAC Undergoes Major Overhaul: A New Era in Fighting Corruption?

Since assuming her role just one week ago, Lavi Rokoika, acting Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), has initiated a series of significant reforms aimed at enhancing the organization’s effectiveness in combating corruption.

Rokoika emphasized that these internal changes reflect a strong commitment to achieving tangible results over mere rhetoric, aiming to rebuild public trust through concrete actions. Among the notable changes is the establishment of a Special Taskforce focused on clearing the backlog of unresolved investigations, a move that underscores FICAC’s dedication to expediting its processes.

In this restructuring, the Corruption Prevention Department has been closed, with staff reassigned to more strategic roles to bolster investigations and prosecutions, ensuring no staff were let go as part of these reforms. Additionally, the Audit and Compliance Unit has merged with the Monitoring and Evaluation Team to create a new Oversight and Accountability Unit. This restructuring is designed to streamline FICAC’s operational capacity and enhance its investigative efforts.

An important aspect of these reforms includes hiring a senior legal consultant with extensive litigation experience to prioritize prosecutions and review longstanding case files, thereby speeding up the judicial process. FICAC is also set to review its Standing Orders, a task that has been awaited since July 2024.

These changes align with FICAC’s ongoing efforts toward improving governance and accountability in Fiji. The recent leadership transition comes after scrutiny of the former commissioner, Barbara Malimali, and highlights a proactive response to public calls for reform. The team at FICAC remains hopeful that these steps will resonate with citizens and restore their trust in the organization.

This moment marks a pivotal opportunity for FICAC and Fiji as a whole to strengthen their commitment to transparency, integrity, and effective governance in public service. With a renewed focus on action, there is optimism that these changes will usher in a new era for the fight against corruption in Fiji, furthering the country’s journey towards ethical governance.