The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption says it will continue to assist the University of the South Pacific in any manner possible during their independent investigations into the alleged breach of procedures.
In response to Fijivillage, FICAC says it had advised the University of the South Pacific that it respects their decision to carry out their internal investigations first.
FICAC says in order to facilitate that and to avoid duplication of work, FICAC ceased its current investigations into the matter.
The USP Council says FICAC informed the USP Council of its decision to cease the investigation on Monday saying the allegations were administrative in nature and purported non‑compliance with relevant USP procedures.
The USP Council says the correspondence from FICAC stated that the unauthorised reference of the allegations by some USP staff to FICAC was premature as internal investigations provided for by USP policies had not taken place.
The Independent Investigator hired by the USP Audit and Risk Committee will start its investigation next week. The investigation report is due by the 16th of August.
The allegations are laid out in a leaked confidential report which was presented to the Executive Committee of the USP Council in March this year.
The report was put together by USP Vice‑Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
It details allegations of quick appointments and contract renewals for some senior members of the university ‑ many of them work at the Laucala campus in Fiji.
There are also details of an alleged breach of policy in past financial decisions as well as questionable promotions and questionable allowances for some staff.
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