The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption official Francis Puleiwai said yesterday the commission did not deal with crimes in human trafficking and arms and ammunition because it was outside their jurisdiction.

Ms Puleiwai was responding to questions during the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime.

“As per the three protocols outlined in the United Nation Convention Against Transnational Crimes, what we have noted is that it is to do with the human trafficking and on the arms and ammunition so FICAC does not deal with these investigations,” Ms Puleiwai said.

FICAC lawyer Ms Puleiwai told the committee members that what was raised in the convention was beyond the FICAC jurisdiction.

She said FICAC only dealt with corruption related offences like bribery, fraud and corruption.

“Since the amendment has been done we now have the same power invested with the office of the DPP to confiscate or forfeit the proceeds of crime,” she said.

It has been maintained by FICAC that since 2007 they had not prosecuted any cases in relation to transnational crimes.

Ms Puleiwai outlined to the committee members how FICAC identified if the case was within their jurisdiction.

“Whenever we receive cases or complaints that come before the commission we usually assess it,” she said.

“So from the assessment team, that’s where the scrutinising of complaints comes in and if it’s not within our jurisdiction we have to see if it is corruption related or if it is bribery and if it’s not then we usually refer it to the relevant institution – either the Police or other ministries – to look into.”

As for the anti-money laundering council Ms Puleiwai said: “FICAC’s role in the anti-money laundering council is merely to observe, so we are an invited party to come and sit in and observe the council.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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