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Standing Orders Made Under Section 11 of the Promulgation

In a move to strengthen the investigative powers of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), the Minister responsible for anti-corruption has made several standing orders under section 11 of the Promulgation.

Key Changes

  • FICAC officers are now empowered to arrest individuals without a warrant if they reasonably suspect that such person committed an indictable offence. This power is limited to only indictable offences.
  • FICAC officers can exercise the same powers given to police officers under Part III of the Criminal Procedure Decree 2009.
  • The Commissioner of FICAC has been granted comprehensive administration of the Promulgation, allowing for greater control over investigations and enforcement.

Enhanced Investigative Powers

  • FICAC is now allowed to seize evidence during searches authorized by a search warrant.
  • The agency can take identification methods from individuals as part of its investigative powers.
  • FICAC has also been granted powers to issue interception warrants, enabling it to gather crucial evidence in corruption cases.

Importance of the Changes

The Minister responsible for anti-corruption emphasized the importance of these changes, stating that they will enable FICAC to more effectively combat corruption and ensure greater accountability among public officials.

“We are committed to ensuring that our laws and regulations are effective in preventing and detecting corruption,” said Attorney-General A. Sayed-Khaiyum. “These standing orders demonstrate our commitment to strengthening FICAC’s powers and enabling it to carry out its mandate with greater effectiveness.”

Effective Date

The changes come into effect immediately, and all public officials are advised to familiarize themselves with the new standing orders.

Contact Us

For more information on these changes, please contact the Minister responsible for anti-corruption at [insert email address] or [insert phone number].