MPs called in by FICAC
OPPOSITION member of Parliament Simione Rasova says the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has ordered he remain confined to his village on Kadavu until they call him for another round of interviews.
Mr Rasova and his Social Democratic Liberal Party colleague Niko Nawaikula confirmed yesterday they were summoned to Suva and interviewed on Wednesday.
Mr Nawaikula said in a social media post he was arrested outside a hotel in Nadi on Tuesday night and driven to Suva.
The pair are believed to be part of eight MPs accused of breaching the Parliamentary Remuneration Act of 2014.
FICAC public relations officer Bettylyn Matakitoga confirmed the duo were questioned and released, but said she could not comment any further as investigations were continuing.
AN Opposition parliamentarian has been ordered to remain confined to his village of Nabouwalu in Ono, Kadavu until the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) recalled him for a second round of interviews.
Social Democratic Liberal Party member Simione Rasova revealed this while confirming that he and colleague Niko Nawaikula were taken in for questioning in Suva on Wednesday.
They are among eight MPs alleged to have breached the Parliamentary Remuneration Act of 2014.
Mr Rasova said he was on Kadavu and was informed by the village headman that FICAC wanted him in Suva.
He said FICAC paid all his travel expenses.
He said after a caution interview on Wednesday, he and Mr Nawaikula were released but he was summoned to another caution interview yesterday.
“I’ve been told to be here at 10am for another session of interrogation with FICAC,” he said yesterday.
“It finished at about 1.30pm and as part of the bail condition, I am to stay in my village of Nabouwalu in Kadavu before they call me back to Suva.
“So, I will leave for the island on the next boat available.”
Mr Nawaikula confirmed yesterday that he was also taken in for questioning.
“I will be back in Suva tomorrow (today) at FICAC at 10am,” he said.
In a social media post, Mr Nawaikula said he was arrested by FICAC outside a hotel in Nadi on Tuesday night.
“I was driven to Suva arriving at 2am and lodged at the FICAC cell,” he said.
“My only comfort then was seeing honourable Rasova in the other cell.”
SODELPA general secretary Emele Duituturaga said they were aware that Mr Rasova was taken in by FICAC.
“I understand honourable Nawaikula will have another session of caution interview by FICAC tomorrow (today) ,” she said.
“FICAC has been dealing directly with MPs concerned and not with the party.”
FICAC public relations officer Bettylyn Matakitoga confirmed the duo were questioned and released but said she could not comment further as investigations were continuing.
… as part of the bail condition, I am to stay in my village of Nabouwalu in Kadavu before they call me back to Suva. Simione Rasova