OPPOSITION Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has questioned the impartiality of Rokoika Law Firm principal Lavi Rokoika’s appointment as acting commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
“The appointment of Rokoika as acting commissioner raises serious concerns about impartiality. Her reported ties to Vosarogo (Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo), a figure closely linked to government circles, cast doubt on whether she can truly act independently in the role,” Mr Usamate said.
“At a time when FICAC’s credibility is already severely damaged, appointing someone with clear affiliations to political figures undermines efforts to restore trust.
“If this administration is serious about reform, then FICAC must be led by someone completely independent, with no personal or political ties to those currently in power.”
He said the COI was convened to expose wrongdoing, yet its findings are being executed with questionable consistency.
“The approach taken by the government appears doctored, designed not to deliver impartial justice but to control the fallout.
“If the COI report clearly states that Barbara Malimali’s appointment was illegal, then why was she merely suspended? An illegal appointment should be nullified, not treated as a valid position subject to disciplinary action.
“Compare this to Lisiate Fotofili – his appointment as Deputy FICAC Commissioner was revoked, and he was immediately returned to his substantive position in the judiciary.”
Mr Usamate added that what’s even more troubling is the silence surrounding Deputy Prime Ministers Professor Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica, when “reports indicate that both have been implicated in the COI findings, yet no action has been taken against them”.
“If the government is committed to transparency, then why are certain individuals being shielded while others are swiftly removed?
“The people of Fiji must ask: is this about justice, or is it about political manoeuvring?”
He said the government cannot pick and choose which findings to act upon and which to suppress, and that the full COI report must be released immediately.
