More Cabinet ministers face FICAC probes

The Fiji Independent Com­mission Against Corruption (FICAC) has confirmed that more Cabinet ministers are under investigation, while its own Act­ing Commissioner faces a legal challenge over her appointment.

Speaking at an end-of-year me­dia briefing, Acting Commissioner Lavi Rokoika declined to provide names, but confirmed that files in­volving sitting ministers exist.

"There might be some," she said when questioned about whether Cabinet ministers are being inves­tigated.

"In terms of our investigation, we use the same threshold for any per­son that has a file within the Com­mission."

She said FICAC does not treat sus­pects differently based on status.

"The fact that you are someone unemployed on the street and has bribed an official, and if you are a Member of Parliament,  that does not affect any investigations,” she said. 

Ms Rokoika also rejected claims that FICAC is being weaponised against political opponents, saying the commission does not take direction from the Government. 

“The answer to it is no, we have not been weaponised. We do not take our instructions from anyone in Government or in Parliament,” she said. 

She said the commission has safeguards to avoid perceived bias, including disclosure and recusal requirements. 

“When there is some perceived biasness, the disclosure is done, recusal is done.” 

When asked about calls to dissolve FICAC, Ms Rokoika said such decisions rested 

She declined to comment on legal challenges to her appointment, noting the matter is now before the courts. 

Former Deputy Prime Ministers Manoa Kamikamica and Biman Prasad, as well as lawyer Tanya Waqanika, have filed proceedings in the High Court in Suva.