The Fiji Times

Woman steps forward

Second sexual harassment claim against Fareed

- By AQELA SUSU

THE complaint against former Fijian Holdings

Ltd Group CEO Nouzab Fareed must be seen through by “an independen­t body”, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali.

She made the statement as police issued a statement yesterday that a second woman had come forward with similar complaints of sexual harassment against Mr Fareed.

She said while his resignatio­n was the right thing to do, the matter had to be “seen through to the end”.

Ms Ali said the complainan­t Judy Wise had sought the FWCC’s assistance but because of its confidenti­ality policy, what had been discussed could not be disclosed to the public.

Mr Fareed resigned on December 20 in the wake of alleged sexual harassment claims by 22-year-old Ms Wise.

POLICE yesterday confirmed that a second woman has come forward and lodged a sexual harassment complaint against former Fijian Holdings Ltd Group CEO Nouzab Fareed.

A police statement said the Criminal Investigat­ions Department was in the process of finalising the two investigat­ions against the former FHL executive.

Police said after an initial complaint by Judy Wise, 22, another complainan­t had come forward with similar allegation­s.

Ms Wise claimed Mr Fareed had sexually harassed her on a number of occasions while she was an employee of an FHL subsidiary.

“Investigat­ors sought advice from the Office of the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutio­ns) and are now finalising the necessary added requiremen­ts before both files will be sent back for sanctionin­g,” the statement said.

Police had earlier confirmed Mr Fareed was being investigat­ed for allegation­s of sexual harassment.

Mr Fareed had also told

The Fiji Times on the day he resigned that the 22-year-old complainan­t used to work in an FHL subsidiary.

He resigned on December 20 in the wake of sexual harassment claims by Ms Wise.

Mr Fareed said his resignatio­n did not mean he was guilty of the allegation­s, adding he had taken the step because he wanted to protect the image of FHL and tell his story to the world.

 ?? Picture: FILE ?? Nouzab Fareed.
Picture: FILE Nouzab Fareed.

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