A section of the alleged report from the Barbara Malimali Commission of Inquiry has identified 15 potential offenses involving the former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner. This includes three charges of alleged abuse of office, as mentioned in Chapter 7 of the report. Among these allegations are claims that Ms. Malimali endorsed an unlawful resolution while serving on the Electoral Commission, issued a Stop Departure Order against former FICAC commissioner Francis Puleiwai, and allegedly interfered in a case involving Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad.
The inquiry also implicates Ms. Malimali in seven additional offenses tied to her Practising Certificate (PC) applications and statutory declarations, asserting that she demonstrated dishonesty. The report states that in all seven applications since 2018, Ms. Malimali misrepresented her prior refusal to practice in Tuvalu and failed to provide accurate explanations.
Furthermore, the inquiry raises concerns over two possible counts of perjury, one count of forgery, and other offenses related to witness tampering and misleading statements. However, the report clarifies that any evidence gathered under the Commission of Inquiry Act is not admissible in court, necessitating independent investigations by the police.
This revelation comes amidst broader scrutiny of the integrity of Fijian electoral processes. The situation reflects significant accountability challenges within the government’s institutional framework, particularly concerning the conduct of public officials. The fact that these allegations are being pursued through legal channels offers a hopeful outlook for transparency and integrity in governance, potentially leading to reforms that strengthen the electoral process in Fiji.
As investigations continue, the hope is that this scrutiny will pave the way for a clearer understanding of these allegations and fortify public trust in electoral institutions.
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