Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized the necessity of a formal complaint to initiate an investigation concerning Barbara Malimali, John Rabuku, and Siromi Turaga. Such a complaint might also result in their suspension.
This statement follows an incident where Ms. Malimali, the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Mr. Rabuku, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, and Mr. Turaga, Minister for Justice, were spotted together at the Grand Pacific Hotel during a welcome event for a Japanese delegation from the Ministry of Justice.
During a discussion outside his office, Mr. Rabuka pointed out that any potential investigation or suspension would rely on complaints being made. He questioned the significance of their meeting, wondering if there had been any formal report regarding their gathering.
Mr. Turaga refrained from commenting after a Cabinet meeting, although he noted that more information would be released soon. Meanwhile, Graham Leung, the government’s chief legal adviser and Attorney General, minimized the situation, stating, “It’s just a photo.”
After the photo’s publication, the Ministry of Justice’s Facebook page deleted images of the officials, causing concerns over possible conflicts of interest.
In related developments, on September 24, the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department received a referral concerning Ms. Malimali’s situation from Mr. Rabuku’s office, in conjunction with Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva. Mr. Turaga is currently under investigation by FICAC, and Mr. Rabuka described Ms. Malimali’s case as “incomplete,” necessitating further police scrutiny.
This recent event mirrors the circumstances surrounding Christopher Pryde, the former and suspended DPP, who was dismissed in April of the previous year for alleged “misbehavior.” He faced scrutiny after being seen with former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during an inquiry involving Sayed-Khaiyum.
Mr. Turaga had previously commented on Mr. Pryde’s situation, asserting that Mr. Pryde spent a considerable amount of time alone with Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum. Subsequently, Mr. Pryde was suspended by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere based on the Judicial Services Commission’s recommendation.
The situation has sparked significant backlash from political leaders. Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has demanded the suspension of the three officials, comparing the incident to the actions taken against Mr. Pryde. Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry highlighted the importance of upholding good governance and integrity in public service. Savenaca Narube, the leader of Unity Fiji, noted that Ms. Malimali’s recent engagement with senior justice figures and the Minister for Justice, who is also under FICAC investigation, resembles Mr. Pryde’s predicament.
Unity Fiji insisted that all allegations on both sides should be thoroughly examined, reiterating the principle of innocence until proven guilty. They underscored the need to resolve all allegations to restore public trust in legal institutions such as FICAC.
In a concerning turn of events, Collin Yabaki, a manager at the Ministry of Justice, threatened legal action against a media outlet for reporting on the issue, questioning the use of the photo and suggesting that it should not have been made into a significant matter.