Former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai is under police investigation. She is accused of overstepping her authority as a FICAC commissioner on a day when the officially appointed Commissioner, Barbara Malimali, was already in office.
Acting Fiji Police Force Commissioner Juki Fong Chew confirmed that a report regarding Ms. Puleiwai was received. Ms. Malimali has filed a complaint against her for alleged abuse of office, which Acting Commissioner Chew acknowledged.
Ms. Malimali stated, “We have lodged a complaint with police for abuse of office when she tried to usurp the powers of the Commissioner while the Commissioner had been appointed and was physically in the office.”
The allegations trace back to an incident on September 5, when Ms. Puleiwai ordered the arrest and questioning of Ms. Malimali. Later that same day, Ms. Puleiwai submitted her resignation to the Judicial Services Commission.
When reached for comment yesterday, Ms. Puleiwai claimed she was not aware of any investigation against her. Following her resignation, she traveled to Australia.