Fiji’s Anti-Corruption body received 39 complaints last month, of which 26 were corruption-related and have been recommended for further action through preliminary or full investigations.
The remaining 13 cases, identified as non-corruption-related, have been referred to relevant authorities for handling, according to a statement issued today by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
During the reporting period, FICAC charged four people, including three males. The charges include Obtaining Financial Advantage (two counts), General Dishonesty—causing a loss (one count), Conspiracy to Defraud—obtaining a Gain (one count), and Abuse of Office (one count).
Meanwhile, four cases were disposed of before courts the same month, including a case against Justin Ho who pled guilty and was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for three years on September 26. In FICAC vs. Amjad Ali, FICAC withdrew the case on 17 September after key witnesses were either unavailable due to migration, had passed away, or were medically unfit to testify. In FICAC vs. Suliasi Sukanaivalu, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and sentence under the Prevention of Bribery Act, ruling in favour of the appellant on 27 September. In FICAC vs. Afrana Nisha, the Court of Appeal dismissed the leave to appeal and directed the Chief Magistrate to set an early trial date, with the ruling delivered on 30 September.
