22 Jun 2007

Fiji anti-corruption unit carries out raids in Suva and Labasa

9:45 am on 22 June 2007

Household furniture, including 39 beds and 17 refrigerators donated to the Labasa Old People's Home in Fiji, has been seized from the homes of its superintendent and staff.

The Fiji Sun reports that the items were donated by the crew of the American television series, Survivor Fiji, when they finished filming on location in Vanua Levu last year.

The head of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in the northern division, Major Moti Jattan, says his officers seized the items from private homes yesterday.

Major Jattan said the items were meant for the elderly at the old people's home but the superintendent had taken some to his own home and given some to nurses, maids and other staff.

Major Jattan said the raid was part of the FICAC's investigation into abuse of office and abuse of property in government departments.

In another operation, detectives from the FICAC raided the Fiji Police pay office and seized documents relating to a case currently under investigation.

Fiji TV reports that the commission's lead investigator, Superintendent Nasir Ali, said the raid resulted from a complaint lodged with them and they will now go through the documents.

The acting police commissioner, Romanu Tikotikoca, who was not informed of the raid says he welcomes the investigation but hopes the same will be done with all arms of the government and the police alone will not be victimized.