Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is an anti – corruption agency in Fiji, charged with fighting against corruption in the Public Sector of Fiji. It was established on 4 April 2007 under the FICAC Promulgation 2007, and its role was confirmed by the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. It reports directly to the President of Fiji.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is headed by a Deputy Commissioner, currently George Westlake Langman.
History
An anti-corruption commission was first proposed by the government of Timoci Bavadra in 1987. In 1999, the then Attorney General and Minister for Justice issued a Terms of Reference to the Fiji Law Reform Commission to investigate the extent of corruption and bribery in Fiji and recommended the possible need for the establishment of an independent body to deal with corruption. The Bribery & Corruption Report of 2003 was tabled in Parliament under the Parliamentary Paper No 85 of 2004. The Report was titled ‘Building an Anti-Corruption Culture for Fiji’.
In 2005, the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase announced that it was drafting the relevant legislation to establish a corruption commission. In April 2007, the Bainimarama Government established the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Function
The primary objective of the FICAC Promulgation is to promote the integrity and accountability of public administration by investigating and prosecuting corruption and bribery-related offences, examining and advising the government of its practices and procedures that are conducive to corruption, and educating and enlisting public support to combat corruption. The Constitution requires it to follow the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).