The Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Barbara Malimali, has filed a police complaint against former acting deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Pulewai. This information was confirmed by Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew.
The complaint involves allegations of abuse of office, specifically regarding Ms. Pulewai allegedly overstepping her authority while serving in an acting capacity. On her first day in office, September 5, Ms. Malimali was arrested and detained at the FICAC headquarters.
The situation, which has been referred to as the Barbara-Gate saga due to its political implications, has garnered attention from the government, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suggesting the possibility of a Board of Inquiry over the weekend. Attempts to reach Ms. Malimali for comment were unsuccessful prior to the publication deadline. Ms. Pulewai stated she has not been informed about the complaint and departed for Australia during the week of her resignation.
Last week, Prime Minister Rabuka indicated he had yet to receive a formal resignation letter from Ms. Malimali. However, he later announced on Facebook that he could confirm her resignation from the position of Chair of the Electoral Commission, having been notified via email by the Solicitor-General, who serves the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC).
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica remarked that FICAC had previously functioned under political influence during the last government but denied that this was the case under the current Coalition Government. He acknowledged that FICAC has faced challenges in recent years and supported the Prime Minister’s call for an inquiry to examine the organization’s issues over the past eight years.
Opposition leader Inia Seruiratu encouraged Mr. Rabuka to follow through with his commitment to an inquiry regarding the situation surrounding Ms. Malimali’s appointment and possible interference. Wylie Clarke, president of the Fiji Law Society, emphasized that the decision on the inquiry rests with the Prime Minister.