Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (6 October2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Samoa

FIJI:

Ex-Sugar Research Institute CEO In Court For Corruption-Related Charges. The former acting chief executive of­ficer of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF), San­jay Prakash, has been charged by the Fiji Independ­ent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) on corrup­tion related matters.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/03/ex-sugar-research-institute-ceo-in-court-for-corruption-related-charges/

Ex-Bureau Employee In Court On Fraud Charges. Kelera Nokelevu appeared be­fore Magistrate Waleen George charged with one count each of obtaining financial advantage and using forged documents by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/05/ex-bureau-employee-in-court-on-fraud-charges/

Woman In Human Trafficking Case Further Remanded. Woman charged with alleged hu­man trafficking was further re­manded by High Court of Suva yesterday.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/05/woman-in-human-trafficking-case-further-remanded/

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG finance chief warns officials to end corruption. The Papua New Guinea Finance Minister, James Marape, has warned provincial and district finance managers about seeking kickbacks in the course of their work.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368020/png-finance-chief-warns-officials-to-end-corruption

Going one step further in police investigations.  Corruption in Papua New Guinea is a big issue and it has now included money laundering.

https://postcourier.com.pg/going-one-step-police-investigations/

Police restrained from interfering in security commission.  The National Court has granted interim injuctive orders restraining the police from interfering in the role of the Chairman of the Securities Commission of PNG, Alex Tongayu, and the function of the Commission.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/police-restrained-interfering-security-commission-79930

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomon Islands devoted to good governance & transparency: PM told UNGA.  Solomon Islands is committed to the principles of good governance and transparency.

https://www.onepng.com/2018/10/solomon-islands-devoted-to-good.html

 

TOKELAU:

In Tokelau, NZ must ease tensions, mend relations.  Millions of dollars of government funds spent on helicopters and property without proper approval in 2016 has become a lingering embarrassment, symptomatic of governance woes.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/367728/in-tokelau-nz-must-ease-tensions-mend-relations

 

SAMOA:

Hearing of alleged passport sale begins. The trial of a former Immigration Officer, David Nomereta Uaine, accused of the sale of Samoan passports started yesterday.

http://sobserver.ws/en/04_10_2018/local/37304/Hearing-of-alleged-passport-sale-begins.htm