Former Cabinet Minister Kalaveti Ravu testified that Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica had asked for a copy of a letter his lawyers had written to FICAC so that he could “follow it up” with Ms. Malimali.”
This is stated in the Commission of Inquiry report released on Tuesday.
He testified a series of interactions with senior members of government regarding the FICAC case against him.
“On 8 July 2024, at the parliamentary complex, Hon. Kamikamica enquired about the status of Hon. Ravu’s case. Hon. Ravu replied that it was still before the court,” the CoI report states Mr Ravu as testifying.
“On the same day, while in the bathroom, Hon. Prasad also casually asked about his case, to which Hon. Ravu gave the same response.”
“A further conversation occurred on 5 August 2024 during a parliamentary morning break. Hon. Kamikamica again asked about the case. Hon. Ravu replied that he had retained new legal counsel, who was managing the matter.”
“According to Hon. Ravu, Hon. Kamikamica then told him that Ms. Barbara Malimali would soon be appointed as the new FICAC Commissioner.”
“In his oral evidence, Hon. Ravu confirmed that Hon. Kamikamica explicitly linked Ms. Malimali’s prospective appointment to potential action on Hon. Ravu’s case.”
“Hon. Ravu stated that after the CoI hearing and a subsequent caucus meeting on 25 November 2024, the PM asked about the status of his case. Hon.”
“Ravu told him that the matter was due for hearing in February 2025.. Following the PM’s departure, Hon. Kamikamica again approached Hon. Ravu, asking for a copy of the letter sent by his legal counsel so that he could “follow it up” with Ms. Malimali.”
