Justice David E. Ashton-Lewis, SC, a senior Australian jurist and Supreme Court judge in Fiji, will lead a Commission of Inquiry into the appointment process of Barbara Malimali as as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
In a statement, the Fiji Government stated that the inquiry aims to assess whether the appointment process “was conducted with integrity, fairness, and transparency, in accordance with the law”. It will also investigate any potential improper or unlawful influences that may have affected Malimali’s appointment.
The commission of inquiry comes after concerns were raised over Malimali’s appointment last month to head FICAC, which was investigating her for abuse of office allegations. It escalated to Malimali being arrested on her first day of work by former FICAC Deputy Commissioner Frances Pulewai who later resigned the same day.
Justice Ashton-Lewis will be assisted by senior barrister Janet Mason, who holds both New Zealand and Fijian citizenship and is admitted to the Bars of both countries.
Previously, Justice Ashton-Lewis chaired the Constitutional Tribunal that looked into allegations of misconduct against former Chief Justice Kamal Kumar, who passed away before the Tribunal could begin its hearings.
The commissioner and Mason are expected to arrive in Fiji shortly to be sworn into office. Arrangements are underway to establish a secretariat to support the Commission’s work.
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