The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption says an investigation into an allegation of corrupt practices by a former Fiji Sugar Corporation executive is active.
A statement from FICAC said search warrants were issued as a part of their investigation.
“We wish to confirm that there is an active ongoing investigation on the subject matter which was referred to FICAC by another law enforcement and regulatory stakeholder FICAC closely works with,” the statement read.
“FSC did not hand over any complaint.
“However, FICAC has conducted search warrants and obtained necessary documents from FSC and other agencies.”
FICAC stated that further investigations into the matter continued with the assistance of relevant international agencies to obtain relevant evidence.
“We will not be able to provide any further details or comment on the matter as it would prejudice the ongoing investigations.”
On Wednesday, Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh said he was concerned that files initially lodged for this case had disappeared.
He also questioned why it took FICAC so long to investigate this particular case.
In May 2016, Fiji Labour Party leader and National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry, while making a submission to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, claimed two FSC directors had pocketed $2.4 million in directors’ remuneration between 2012 to 2014.
He claimed that the two directors had jointly picked up fees of $781,000 in 2012, $846,000 in 2013 and $791,000 in 2014, saying the figures he was quoting were lifted directly from FSC annual reports for those years.
In May 2017, Sugar Ministry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan told The Fiji Times that investigations into the executive were continuing.
He said he had done his part and given the matter over to the relevant authorities, the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Fiji Customs and Revenue Authority, to deal with.
