FICAC issues this statement as a response to the media inquiries on the statement made by Hon Minister for Sugar, Mr. Charan Jeath Singh, during the 2023/2024 budget debate in Parliament. In his statement he made reference to, inter alia, the on-going investigation by FICAC against former CEO of Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), Abdul Khan, and alleged that FICAC had done nothing about the case referred to it three years ago. He made similar remarks in early January this year and FICAC responded to that statement on 12 January 2023.
We wish to reiterate that the statement by Hon Minister about the specific investigation mentioned is false and misconceived. There is an active on-going investigation and FICAC has put all possible efforts to secure the relevant evidence from various sources. Hon Attorney- General is aware of the status of the case as he had sanctioned a procedural request of the investigation as required by law. As such, Hon Minister could have been simply made aware of the status of the case had he verified his facts with the Office of the Attorney- General or with FICAC before he made this statement.
At this stage of the investigation, divulging any finer details about the case publicly might jeopardize the outcome of this case. As such, it would be in the best interest of the investigation to refrain from making any remarks publicly.
Hon Minister also made remarks and the FBC quoted that “a decision is yet to be made either to retain or merge FICAC with the current Police system.” With regards to this statement about the operations of FICAC, the legal provisions under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji provide unambiguous guidance. The existence and the continuation of FICAC is plainly entrenched in the Constitution of Fiji.