The Fiji Sports Council Board has today signed on independent investigators, Pherrus Financial Services, an accounting firm based in Sydney and Suva, to look into the allegations against the Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure and Manager Operations, Litia Senibulu.
This has been confirmed by Sports Council Deputy Chairman, Peter Mazey.
Vakalalabure and Senibulu have been sent on leave.
Mazey also shared the terms of reference of the investigation.
It says at a Special Meeting of the Fiji Sports Council Board on 17th February 2026, the Board reviewed the presentations of allegations with supporting evidence currently being delivered through local media and social media platforms.
After discussions it was resolved that the Board will not dwell on the FICAC ruling as the FICAC case has been closed, and it will appoint an independent investigator to examine the fresh allegations levelled against Fiji Sports Council.
Week 1 of the Terms of Reference of the investigation is the contra deals with Fiji Airways and others, the Fiji Sports Council U20's Rugby 7's Hamilton Trip, the Sports Council U20's Sevens Team and Council Sponsored Sports Tournaments and the restructure of operations and staffing including pay rises.
Week 2 of the investigation includes the appointment as Executive Chairman of Gilbert Vakalalabure indefinitely, CEO Appointment, driver overtime for private use, staff engagement, contracts and tender processes, and motor vehicles.
Week 3 of the investigation include alleged rampant mismanagement and unauthorised expenses, response to Board resolution, staff concerns and reported breaches of policy and or law, agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy Ltd, SportsWorx Agreement – Brett Jenkins and Pacific Procurement Management and Investment Services.
fijivillage News had earlier highlighted about questions raised from within the Ministry of Sports and the Fiji Sports Council about the risk of potential evidence tampering as the CEO of Fiji Sports Council, Gilbert Vakalalabure remained in office after the announcement by the Prime Minister late last month that independent investigations will be conducted.
The issues mainly deal with alleged conflict of interest and decisions being made without the Sports Council Board's approval.
A whistleblower who is a former staff member of the Fiji Sports Council maintains many decisions being made were not approved by the Board which included business class travel under the Sports Council contra deal with Fiji Airways for Vakalalabure, his wife, the Sports Minister, Jese Saukuru and his wife's travel without the Sports Council's Board approval.
This contra deal was for the Sports Council.
It has also come to light that the Sports Council's grassroots 7s tournaments which cost a lot of money was being organised without the Council's Board approval, and the team going to NZ for a tournament there last year, also did not have Board approval.
We had earlier contacted Vakalalabure. He is yet to comment.
Stay with us for developments.
