A member of the GRACE Road Church has raised serious allegations against officials from the Fiji Immigration Department, claiming they were allegedly “paid off” to allow her husband and children to leave the country. The individual reported that her four-year-old daughter, not a Fijian citizen, was issued an emergency passport, facilitating their departure. Meanwhile, her husband, with a visa that had expired years ago, was allowed to exit the country alongside their two children, aged four and 13, without her prior knowledge.
The woman expressed her suspicions that someone in the Immigration Department turned a blind eye to these actions, especially considering her husband’s alleged outstanding fines for overstaying his visa. She emphasized the improbability of her husband obtaining a passport for their daughter, who had never been registered, and leaving the country so abruptly.
Financially, she noted that her husband, who worked at a local restaurant, could not possibly afford this move independently, suggesting that he was following guidance from others, referencing past observations of similar situations involving church members.
Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Pio Tikoduadua acknowledged the situation, stating he offered to step aside while investigations into the anomalous passport issuance are conducted. He revealed that these documents were allegedly issued without his knowledge or that of the Immigration permanent secretary or senior management, indicating a significant breach of protocol.
Additionally, the Acting Police Commissioner has ordered a preliminary investigation to assess whether the Fiji Police Force or the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption will oversee the inquiry.
This troubling incident shines a light on potential lapses in oversight within government departments and has sparked the need for accountability and transparency. The hope remains that these investigations will bring clarity and restore trust in the immigration processes in Fiji.
In this context, the mother’s determined fight to reclaim a “normal life” for her children is commendable and reflects her resilience in the face of adversity. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the rights and welfare of children amidst legal and bureaucratic complications.
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