Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (26 Jan 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

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These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.

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FIJI:

FICAC wants time to file a response to the strike out application for Ganesh Chand.  FICAC lawyer Joseph Work has sought time to file a response submission to the Defence strike out application in the case of former FNU Vice Chancellor Ganesh Chand.

http://fijivillage.com/news/FICAC-wants-time-to-file-a-response-to-the-strike-out-application-for-Ganesh-Chand-92kr5s/

Woman to appear in court for allegedly bribing Immigration Officer.  It is alleged that the woman offered $10,000 to an Immigration Officer to produce a Fijian Passport for an Asian National.

http://fijivillage.com/news/Woman-to-appear-in-court-for-allegedly-bribing-Immigration-Officer-s95r2k/

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Two in court after trying to smuggle cash.  Two foreigners appeared before the Vanimo District Court in West Sepik on charges of attempting to smuggle K400,000 across the PNG-Indonesian border.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/two-court-trying-smuggle-cash/

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Murrays' case before court.  The former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Henry Murray and his wife Rose are accused of defrauding the government of more than $1 million between April 2014 and May 201.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/19833-murrays-case-before-court-today

VANUATU:

Vanuatu wants to join Interpol.  Foreign affairs minister Ralph Regenvanu said joining Interpol would allow the Financial Intelligence Unit to carry out better checks, particularly when people are seeking to buy citizenship.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/348805/vanuatu-wants-to-join-interpol

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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