Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says there is no evidence that there will be interference in the judiciary as claimed by Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula while debating on the Anti-Corruption Division Bill.

Nawaikula has accused the government of interfering with the judicial system.

He claimed this is an abuse by the Government

“They are manipulating the judicial system to keep them there for the very reason to threaten, to intimidate. They have done that. FICAC and other constitution established, independent bodies are not independent”.

However, Sayed-Khaiyum maintains the specialized division will ensure the designated Judges and Magistrates become specialised in anti-corruption cases and the application of the jurisprudence on anti-corruption cases will be applied consistently across the board in Fiji.

“It does not in any way mean that judiciary is going to be interfered with. Absolutely not. No a single shred of evidence. They say it will have enormous impact on the budget, no. It is division created, you don’t physically go and create a division that required money, and it’s in law, again without any verification of facts”.

The Anti-Corruption Division Bill was passed in parliament today.

This will allow amendment to the High Court Act to create a specialized Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court and the Magistrates

Court which will be presided over by Judges and Magistrates who will deal specifically with cases relating to anti-corruption law.