Investigations against the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner Barbara Malimali started before the post of the FICAC commissioner was advertised, says former FICAC acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai.
She explained there was a misconception to what had happened on September 5, 2024, the day when Ms Malimali started her role as FICAC commissioner.
“It’s just unfortunate that the very people or the very system that we were hoping to uphold the rule of law, are the ones that were literally looking for a way out and I would say, want to throw me under the bus,” Ms Puleiwai told ABC News.
“The complaint was received against the current commissioner Barbara Malimali and the assessment was done. The investigation was carried out.
“It’s just how the Attorney-General had stated that I had authorised the arrest to happen.”
She said she had authorised Ms Malimali’s arrest but the Attorney-General and Judicial Services Commission were not wanting to understand why it was done.
“There is a process in terms of bringing in suspects. She was a suspect in that point in time and she was invited to come in for the caution interview we call it in Fiji.
“When she came into the office, when she had refused, the FICAC officers or the investigators, they had the powers to arrest the person.
“The arrest did happen on that morning and we anticipated for her to retaliate in the manner we need.
“But what I wanted to say is leading up to the event on September 5, 2024. There were two times the advertisement had gone out for the post of the commissioner.
“And you see the twist of things, and they wanting to make it look like I’m the person because I was bitter about what had happened and I’m making it look like the whole thing was a scam, or I unlawfully authorised this.”
Ms Puleiwai said she was just exercising her power as the deputy commissioner.
She said prior to the advertisement and application of the FICAC commissioners’ position, complaint was lodged against Ms Malimali with FICAC.
“Investigation was ongoing. I was not aware that Ms Malimali had applied.”
She said the Judicial Services Commission failed to do the due diligence while appointing Ms Malimali on FICAC commissioner’s position.
Attorney-General Graham Leung said Ms Puleiwai was entitled to her opinion.
“The JSC made their recommendations and followed the appointments process set out in the FICAC Act,” Mr Leung said.
