Tikoduadua Offers to Steps Aside Amid Grace Road Passport Investigation

Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua has offered to step aside temporarily amid an investigation into the unauthorised issuance of passports to children linked to the Grace Road human rights allegations.

Speaking from Australia, Mr Tikoduadua revealed: "The passports appear to have been issued without my knowledge, the Permanent Secretary's approval, or authorisation from senior Immigration Department management."

He called the matter a severe breach of protocol, raising questions about internal oversight.

"Given the seriousness of this issue and its implications for our nation's integrity, I have ordered an immediate investigation to determine how this occurred and ensure accountability," he said.

To ensure impartiality, Mr Tikoduadua has offered to step aside pending the investigation's outcome, a decision he has conveyed to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

"I will fully cooperate and work to restore trust," he assured, promising updates as the inquiry progresses.

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