Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya has confirmed that Acting Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner Lavinia Rokoika is receiving medical treatment, following growing public questions about her whereabouts.
In a social media post this morning, Ms Tabuya expressed support for Ms Rokoika and called for an end to the public discussion surrounding her absence.
“Ms Rokoika is receiving medical treatment, and I wish her strength and recovery during this very challenging time,” Ms Tabuya said.
“Can this news story of her whereabouts die already.”
Her comments follow a report by The Fiji Times this week highlighting the lack of official information about Ms Rokoika’s whereabouts and who is currently overseeing FICAC’s operations.
The newspaper reported that Ms Rokoika’s whereabouts had remained unclear for about a month, with FICAC yet to respond to questions about her absence.
The issue was raised in the High Court in Suva on October 2, when a FICAC prosecutor informed the court that documents could not be served on Ms Rokoika because she was overseas.
Since then, questions have been raised about when she left Fiji, the purpose and duration of her trip, who was funding it and whether arrangements had been made for another official to exercise the Commissioner’s powers during her absence.
FICAC had not provided clarification on these matters despite enquiries from The Fiji Times.
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has also called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Judicial Services Commission to clarify Ms Rokoika’s employment status and the leadership arrangements at the anti-corruption agency.
Mr Seruiratu raised concerns after the Prime Minister reportedly said he did not know whether Ms Rokoika had left the country or remained in office.
He argued that the public deserved clarity about who was currently exercising the powers of the FICAC Commissioner and whether appropriate administrative arrangements were in place.
