The recent appointment of Barbara Malimali has highlighted concerns regarding the independence of institutions, the lack of due process, and a prime minister reportedly unaware of ongoing issues under his administration.
On the second day of what has been termed the “Barbara-gate” scandal, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad has emerged as a key figure, facing allegations related to unreported assets, income, and liabilities.
The controversy centers around Ms. Malimali’s rapid appointment as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), with suspicions that her role may be to hinder any investigations that could implicate the Finance Minister.
Attorney-General Graham Leung has come to Ms. Malimali’s defense, amidst claims that her appointment serves to shield those in positions of power from accountability.
In a significant turn of events, Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Pulewai submitted her resignation to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) yesterday afternoon, citing her inability to work with Ms. Malimali. She clarified that her concern was solely about upholding the rule of law.
“Biman was supposed to be arrested, but they will have to wait for the new Commissioner to come in, and the decision will be made thereafter,” Ms. Pulewai stated, emphasizing the importance of conducting investigations without external interference. She noted that the investigation into Mr. Prasad predates her tenure.
Ms. Pulewai expressed her hope that her resignation would preserve FICAC’s integrity and ensure justice is served.
In response to her resignation, Mr. Prasad indicated that it is now up to the incoming commissioner to address the situation. He maintained that his legal team has been in communication with FICAC from the onset and contended that the allegations against him lack merit.
Justice Minister Siromi Turaga later confirmed that Ms. Malimali had lodged a complaint with the JSC regarding a FICAC search conducted at the Electoral Commission.
On her first day at work, Ms. Malimali was questioned by FICAC investigators but was released shortly after. In a letter to Mr. Turaga, Ms. Pulewai informed him that Mr. Prasad would face charges.
Mr. Turaga stated, “Ms. Malimali was appointed by the JSC and visited the FICAC office for introductions. Afterward, she had no further information on the investigation.” He criticized the leak of information related to the investigation on social media, which undermined the confidentiality of JSC proceedings.
Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica affirmed that due process was observed and insisted that the government respects the separation of powers and does not interfere with judicial processes. He highlighted that the People’s Alliance Party had initially pledged to dismantle FICAC within the first 100 days of taking office.