The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is responsible for the lifting and reasoning of a Stop Order issued for former deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, not the Ministry of Immigration. This clarification was made by Immigration Minister Pio Tikoduadau during a press inquiry regarding Ms. Puleiwai’s situation.
Minister Tikoduadau explained that updates and minor reasoning for such orders fall outside the jurisdiction of his office. “No, it does not come to me,” he stated. He emphasized that the authority lies with the agency that issued the stop order and that specific legal protocols govern these actions.
Ms. Puleiwai departed Fiji for Australia on September 7 after resigning from her position on September 5. Following her resignation, she raised concerns to the media regarding the lack of adherence to the rule of law at FICAC, citing issues related to ministerial charges and alleged interferences from senior officials within the judiciary.
Although a Stop Order was issued shortly after her resignation, she had already left the country by that time. Minister Tikoduadau reiterated that his office does not have the power to lift such orders. “That authority is not invested in me, and even if that be lifted, it depends on the authority that put it there in the first place,” he added, noting that the involvement of the courts or other institutions may be required for any changes to the order.