Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he is concerned with the number of investigations going on against key Cabinet members by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Fiji Police.
Speaking to FijiLive, Rabuka said he had not been informed personally on the ongoing investigations .
It is understood that pending matters are ongoing against the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad, the Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh, and the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Kalaveti Ravu.
On a Party level, against the Minister for Women and Children Lynda Tabuya, which Rabuka said, has been closed.
“I will determine the best as the Prime Minister and leader of Cabinet on what to do.”
The Prime Minister said if need be, Ministers would be asked to stand down, to allow for smooth investigations process.
Rabuka said if there is any sign of interference: “I will ask them to step aside and advise the President accordingly.”
From the ongoing investigations, he has received one letter from a complainant about a member of Cabinet – Rabuka said he would now communicate to that Minister of concern, and will decide on the next step upon his response.
A police report has been launched against the Attorney-General with the Criminal Investigations Department in Suva and has been confirmed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police – Crime ACP Mesake Waqa.
ACP Waqa said the allegation made against Turaga concerning the handling of a complainant’s dissolution of marriage proceedings in 2022.
The Fijian Elections Office has referred a complaint lodged against the Deputy Prime Minister to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, alleging Prof Prasad for false and non-declaration of assets, breaching the Political Parties Act 2014.
The complaint was lodged last month and the Acting Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa has directed her team to assess the complaint and evidence presented.
The matter is with FICAC, pending investigation.
The Fijian Elections Office has referred the Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh to FICAC for probable breach of Section 114(1) of the Electoral Act 2014.
Acting SOE stated that a complaint was received on 24 October 2023 from a member of the public regarding the Facebook post by Singh, confirming that he had made a promise during an election campaign to build two toilets and a shower block at Namadamu Village. Singh has denied these allegations.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there is an investigation that has been lodged against the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry with FICAC; however, Rabuka did not reveal the complaint.
