The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has notified the Fijian Elections Office that it has concluded investigations into three cases referred to it in September 2023.
FICAC conducted a preliminary inquiry into complaints against the FijiFirst Party, addressing allegations of corrupt practices tied to Fiji First Australia Association Incorporated, specifically against Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and an individual named Tito Bainimarama. The investigation revealed that FijiFirst did not include Fiji First Australia Association in its list of donations submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties from 2015 to 2022, despite it being a registered entity in Australia.
Further attempts by FICAC to obtain documentation from the complainant, Alexandra Forwood, were unsuccessful, as she was unable to provide any supporting documents or specific dates related to the alleged corrupt activities.
The inquiry also examined claims regarding Tito Bainimarama’s affiliation with former FijiFirst Party Leader Voreqe Bainimarama. Investigators found no supporting records from relevant authorities confirming Tito Bainimarama’s identity as the former leader.
In addition, FICAC reviewed complaints against Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Mohammed Saneem for alleged collusion and conflicts of interest, as well as against Ariff Ali for making a donation to FijiFirst while serving as a civil servant. Preliminary findings indicated that neither Sayed-Khaiyum nor Saneem held shares in Formscaff (Fiji) Pte Limited, and the contracts were awarded in compliance with the standard tender process.
Another investigation targeted His Excellency, the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, along with Sayed-Khaiyum and Charan Jeath Singh. FICAC sought assistance from the Financial Intelligence Unit to analyze the financial statuses of these individuals. The findings provided sufficient evidence to refute the allegations against them, and FICAC has verified the details concerning their assets and liabilities.
Following the preliminary inquiries and subsequent legal advice, FICAC concluded that there was no evidence substantiating the claims made by the complainants, leading to the closure of the investigation files.