The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is responsible for the lifting and reasoning of a Stop Order issued against former deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, not the Ministry of Immigration. Minister for Immigration Pio Tikoduadau clarified this point yesterday when questioned about the stop order affecting Puleiwai.
Tikoduadau stated that updates and details regarding such orders do not fall under his jurisdiction. “No, it does not come to me,” he explained, emphasizing that the authority to impose a stop order is designated to the appropriate agency.
Puleiwai departed for Australia on September 7, shortly after her resignation from FICAC on September 5. She previously expressed concerns to the media regarding the integrity of law enforcement within FICAC, citing issues related to ministerial charges and alleged interference from high-ranking officials in the judiciary.
The Stop Order against her was issued after her resignation; however, she had already exited the country by that time. Tikoduadau added, “That authority is not invested in me, and even if that be lifted, it depends on the authority that placed it there initially, as well as the court and other institutions that might be able to lift it. Otherwise, I have no powers.”