Parliament

No evidence provided says AG as Opposition raise FICAC issues

May 15, 2019 5:08 pm

Opposition MP, Viliame Gavoka, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Opposition member Niko Nawaikula

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the independence of Fiji Independent Commission of Corruption and the judiciary remains.

This as Parliament debated on the act to amend the FICAC ACT 2017.

Opposition members Niko Nawaikula raised issues on the independence of FICAC claiming it was being used to target certain individuals.

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“Totally sad that this institution that is supposedly independent, we feel is used to hunt down political opponents.”

Joining the chorus of dissatisfaction against FICAC was fellow Opposition MP, Viliame Gavoka.

FICAC today in Fiji, when you say FICAC, in any location and any situation would be similar to someone saying Astaphor during those days of the Nazis in Germany and Europe.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says the accusations by the two were baseless and a mere finger pointing based on the lack of facts.

“To date not a single shred of evidence has been provided by the other side nor anybody else that there has been any form of interference both with the judiciary and FICAC for the matter.”

The bill was passed with 26 supporting it, 23 against and two having not voted.