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FICAC witness was terminated: Mason

Fiji’s Corruption Chief Dismissed: What’s Next for the Inquiry?

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Fiji’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) recently saw the dismissal of its Manager of Legal Affairs, Kuliniasi Saumi, as confirmed by FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali. This decision was disclosed by Counsel Assisted to the Commission of Inquiry (COI), Janet Mason, who addressed the media regarding the matter.

Mason noted that Saumi had provided testimony over four consecutive days, and despite his dismissal, his statements remain valid in the ongoing inquiry. The COI is now considering recalling Saumi for further questioning to delve deeper into the issues he previously addressed.

The situation has raised concerns among the COI members, particularly regarding how Saumi’s termination might deter other FICAC witnesses from coming forward. Mason expressed the urgency of needing Saumi’s insights on other emerging matters, but highlighted that his lack of access to specific documents could hinder the commission’s integrity and operations moving forward.

In a related development, Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime, Mesake Waqa, confirmed that Saumi has officially lodged a report against Commissioner Malimali at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters.

This situation underscores the challenges faced by institutions tasked with combating corruption, particularly concerning the potential chilling effect on witness cooperation due to internal conflicts. The fact that Saumi’s testimony is still deemed significant suggests there is hope for continued transparency in the inquiry despite these hurdles.

Summary: Kuliniasi Saumi, FICAC’s Manager of Legal Affairs, has been dismissed by Commissioner Barbara Malimali. This has raised concerns about the impact on other witnesses in an ongoing inquiry, as Saumi’s previous testimony remains crucial. He has filed a report against Malimali at the police.

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