The Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Barbara Malimali, has filed a police complaint against former acting deputy commissioner Francis Pulewai. This development was confirmed by Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew.
The complaint involves allegations of abuse of office, specifically regarding claims that Pulewai overstepped her authority while serving in an acting role. Malimali was reportedly arrested and held at FICAC headquarters on her first day on the job, September 5.
This situation has been referred to as the “Barbara-Gate” saga due to its political implications, and it has attracted attention at the government level. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suggested over the weekend the possibility of initiating a Board of Inquiry.
Attempts to reach Malimali for comments went unanswered, while Pulewai stated she had not been informed about the complaint and had departed for Australia following her resignation. Rabuka noted earlier that he had yet to receive an official resignation letter from Malimali. However, later he announced on his official Facebook page that he could confirm Malimali’s resignation as Chair of the Electoral Commission and stated she is now the newly appointed Commissioner of FICAC.
Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica claimed that FICAC had been influenced by political agendas during the previous administration but denied these claims applied to the Coalition Government. He acknowledged that FICAC may have deviated from its intended path and supported the Prime Minister’s decision to launch an inquiry to assess the commission’s operations over the past eight years, emphasizing that the organization had been misused by previous leaders.
Opposition leaders have also weighed in, with G9 crossbench leader Ioane Naivalurua emphasizing that Rabuka’s call for an inquiry is essential for good governance. Opposition leader Inia Seruiratu urged Rabuka to follow through with his statements and assess Malimali’s appointment amid the alleged interference.
Meanwhile, Fiji Law Society president Wylie Clarke stated that addressing this issue ultimately falls under the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction.