Fiji's anti-corruption commission has been engulfed in an extraordinary saga after its new chief was detained and questioned by police on the orders of her second-in-command, who also made a failed push to lay charges against Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad.
On Wednesday, the government announced that Barbara Malimali had been appointed as the new commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption.
But on Thursday morning Ms Malimali — who was already being investigated over her actions as the chair of Fiji's Election Commission — was arrested and questioned by police, apparently on the directions of deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai.
That drew a furious response from Attorney-General Graham Leung, who suggested that Ms Pulewai was targeting the commissioner because she had made an unsuccessful application for the top job.
"[The] actions of FICAC, directed by Ms Pulewai, in purporting to arrest the commissioner, her superior, on the commissioner's first day in office, are severely open to question," he said.
"This matter is particularly sensitive since Ms Pulewai was herself an applicant for the position of commissioner. She was unsuccessful.
"If Ms Pulewai has a problem with the appointment then, like every other public official or citizen, she has the right of access to the courts."
The attorney-general also dismissed the accusations against Ms Malimali over her conduct at the Election Commission, saying they "arose out of a misunderstanding" and that there was "a worrying trend in this country of maligning people based on rumours and innuendo".
Fijian media reported that Ms Pulewai quit her post as deputy commissioner on Thursday afternoon in the wake of the controversy. The ABC has been unable to reach her for comment to confirm her resignation.
Push to arrest Fiji finance minister
The saga is even more explosive because Francis Puleiwai had earlier pushed for an arrest warrant to be issued against Fiji's deputy prime minister and finance minister, Biman Prasad.
Leaked documents posted on social media and widely reported in Fiji show Ms Puleiwai wrote to Fiji's justice minister earlier this week, saying the commission was investigating whether Dr Prasad had failed to declare all of his assets, income and liabilities ahead of the last election.
But Ms Pulewai suggested that investigation had been thwarted, telling Fijian media outlets Ms Malimali ordered the investigation be put on hold when she took office.
Dr Prasad told the ABC that the matter was "in the hands of my lawyers".
"They have already communicated with FICAC and strongly rejected any basis for charges. Other than this, I do not intend to comment."
But Fiji's opposition has already taken aim at senior government ministers over the episode.
Opposition MP Premila Kumar issued a statement saying it was: "Both astonishing and unethical that the Judicial Services Commission has confirmed the appointment of a person who is currently under investigation by the very organisation she is now set to lead.
"This decision raises serious concerns about the integrity and credibility of the appointment process," she said.
