Reopen probe files, CoI report recommends

The redacted report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the appointment of terminated FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali has made a key recommendation.

It calls for all corruption investigation files closed during her tenure, including those involving senior Cabinet Ministers, to be fully and independently reviewed.

The recommendation, released in the Commission’s final report made public by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday, points to concerns that politically sensitive cases were improperly shut down.

“That all of the files that have been closed under Ms Malimali’s tenure, including the files of Honourable Prasad and Honourable Tabuya, are reviewed by independent senior Counsel.”

According to testimony cited in the report, Ms Malimali’s leadership resulted in the abrupt sidelining of several investigations, particularly those linked to government figures.

One FICAC official revealed to the Commission: “During the first weeks of Malimali’s appointment she once directed us through an email that no resources will be used in all the complaint reported by Alexandra Forwood.”

The report noted that such instructions appeared to align with efforts to shield certain political figures from scrutiny and undercut FICAC’s independence.

The recommended independent review, if implemented, could see previously shelved corruption investigations- potentially including those involving deputy prime ministers and ministers-reopened for legal assessment and possible prosecution.

While the police and Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) have confirmed that they have received the unredacted version of the report, no specifics have been released by the two authorities to confirm this would mean reopening the closed cases.

Police had earlier confirmed that an investigation into the final report of the CoI into the appointment of Malimali as Commissioner of FICAC commenced, upon receipt of a formal letter of referral for investigation from the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu had earlier mentioned that a formal letter of referral was sent to the police and FICAC, to investigate the final report of the CoI and persons of interests, and where warranted, prosecution.

Mr Tudravu reiterated his assurance of the conduct of a thorough independent investigation by the team of senior investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Questions sent yesterday to Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika, remain unanswered when this edition went to press.

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