Supreme Court Judge Justice David Ashton-Lewis is now permitted to discuss the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that he presided over, having completed his work on the matter. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka provided this clarification, reassuring that he is not concerned about any potential challenges to his leadership of the Coalition Government.
Justice Ashton-Lewis indicated during a recent Australian radio interview that the inquiry’s report has been finalized and delivered to the President. He revealed that nine senior officials were implicated in the report for misconduct, including lying under oath and obstructing justice in relation to the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Notably, one of the implicated individuals was referred to as a “wannabe Prime Minister,” stressing the complexity of loyalties and integrity within the political framework.
Prime Minister Rabuka encouraged interested parties to wait for the full report’s release before jumping to conclusions, highlighting a desire to manage the information reaching the public concerning the inquiry’s findings. Counsel Assisting the COI, Janet Mason, added that while some Members of Parliament were named in the report, not all were implicated in wrongdoing, as several were simply called to provide evidence.
The report spans an extensive 648 pages, detailing testimonies from 33 out of 40 witnesses and containing 72 recommendations that Justice Ashton-Lewis hopes the Prime Minister will act upon. This inquiry aims to bolster accountability and transparency in Fiji’s governance, representing a concerted effort to restore public trust in political institutions.
As developments continue, there remains hope that the insights and recommendations from the Commission will lead to meaningful reforms, fostering a more ethical and responsive political environment in Fiji.
Overall, the commitment shown throughout this process underscores a collective effort to uphold integrity in governance, paving the way for positive changes in the country’s political landscape.
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