The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the appointment of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner Barbara Malimali commenced today. Anticipation surrounds the inquiry, with several high-profile figures expected to give testimonies in the days ahead.

Senior legal counsel Janet Mason announced that the commission plans to call 35 witnesses, including notable individuals like Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and members of the Judicial Services Commission, which is chaired by Chief Justice Salesi Temo. Other attendees will comprise FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali herself, former FICAC acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai, and Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa, among various ministers such as Siromi Turaga and Graham Leung.

Mason emphasized that the commission is committed to remaining independent throughout its proceedings. She stated that the inquiry’s purpose is to evaluate whether the process that led to Ms. Malimali’s appointment as Commissioner was conducted with integrity, fairness, and transparency in accordance with the law, and to investigate any potential improper or unlawful influences surrounding that process.

Due to the sensitive nature of the inquiry, the hearings will be closed to the public and media. Mason noted that the proceedings would be “in camera” because they might involve several ongoing criminal investigations. This approach is crucial to ensuring that the inquiry does not impact or influence these investigations, allowing for a thorough and confidential examination of the matters at hand.

The hearings are being conducted at the Supreme Court complex in Suva, and a report detailing the findings of the inquiry is expected to be submitted to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, with a copy sent to the Prime Minister, by January 31.

In summary, this inquiry represents a significant step toward ensuring accountability and transparency in FICAC appointments, with a diverse array of high-profile witnesses contributing to the investigation. As the process unfolds, there is hope that it will reinforce public trust in the integrity of governmental institutions in Fiji.