Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa

It has been revealed in court that Fiji Corrections Service suspended Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa’s stepson Inia Yavala had failed his Required Fitness Level test in October last year and was sent home but was called back to complete the recruitment process.

In his affidavit during the Constitutional Offices Commission tribunal inquiry into allegations of misbehaviour by Dr Nakarawa, former Commandant of the Corrections Academy and current Corrections Supervisor Northern Division, Isireli Nataqa says Yavala participated in and failed the RFL during basic recruitment training between September and October last year.

Nataqa says in breaching the basic recruitment process, Yavala was allowed to continue.

While questioned by counsel assisting the tribunal, Juleen Fatiaki, Nataqa confirmed that Yavala was led to take his aptitude test and interview after his return.

During cross-examination by Dr Nakarawa’s counsel, Simione Valenitabua, Nataqa said the late Deputy Commissioner Senior Superintendent Apakuki Qura instructed him to get Yavala back.

Nataqa says he knew it was wrong but the order was given and it had to be followed or else he could face being fined or dismissed.

He says Qura had told him that Dr Nakarawa had told him to bring back Yavala and another man who had also failed the RFL.

Nataqa says Qura also told him to take note of the names as they were related to Dr Nakarawa.

Upon questioning, he says he never received instructions from Dr Nakarawa to bypass the recruitment process.

While responding to a question by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere on whether he has encountered another Commissioner appointing his family member into the Corrections Service, Nataqa revealed that this has happened between 1996 to 2006 when Josaia Tawake was the Commissioner and every Commissioner since.

Fatiaki intended to file Qura's affidavit but Valenitabua objected as he would not be able to cross examine him.

He has been given time to make written submissions in objection, with the ruling to be delivered this afternoon.

Corrections Academy Physical Training Instructor Alipate Qaqabalavu told the tribunal that Yavala had passed out during the 2.4km run and was sent home.

Qaqabalavu says Nataqa instructed him to get Yavala back where Qaqabalavu and another officer, had taken the ambulance to bring Yavala back, who was already in a bus.

During cross examination Qaqabalavu says he had seen the commissioner's vehicle drive by before the instruction was given to him by Nataqa.

When questioned by High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar that in his experience, has an exception been made that someone who has failed and is still allowed to proceed, Qaqabalavu says it started with Yavala last year.

Corrections Staff Officer Building, Ioane Bulivou says Yavala was posted as a temporary officer in the engineering unit but he was not consulted.

He says Yalava did not have the skills and after informing Dr Nakarawa about this, Yavala was transferred to the CCTV Unit.

Bulivou says others, namely Jalesi Nakarawa who is Dr Nakarawa’s nephew, Naivote Qionitagi, Simeli Tikotani and Viliame Baleisawana were also placed into the engineering unit.

He alleges that their relationship with Dr Nakarawa influenced their appointment but while responding to Valenitabua during cross examination on what proof there is that Jalesi Nakarawa is Dr Nakarawa’s brother’s son, he says he does not have any but this is what he had heard.

Witness, Semi Roqica Coka from the engineering unit, says they had bypassed basic recruitment training and became custodial officers.

He says basic recruitment training is a requirement to become a custodial officer but they had not undergone this training.

Yavala, while being cross examined by Valenitabua, had revealed that he was terminated by Dr Nakarawa in January this year for disciplinary issues and there was no special treatment.

Meanwhile, Valenitabua has also made an application to subpoena the Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga and Fatiaki has been given until tomorrow to respond while the ruling will be on Friday.

Valenitabua also says he only wants to call Turaga and not the Secretary of the COC and Solicitor General Ropate Green.

The Constitutional Offices Commission tribunal inquiry into allegations of misbehaviour by suspended Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service Dr Jalesi Nakarawa is underway where his stepson has said in his affidavit that he had no qualifications but was recruited into the engineering unit until October last year.

There are allegations of personal interest, financial mismanagement and abuse of authority against Dr Nakarawa.

It is alleged that Dr Nakarawa on or around the 9th of October 2024, appointed his stepson, Inia Yavala, to the position of Temporary Relieving Corrections Officer Class C within the Fiji Corrections Service.

It is alleged that Dr Nakarawa on or around the 2nd of December 2024, permitted his stepson, Inia Yavala to proceed with recruitment training with the Corrections Service despite failing his Required Physical Fitness Test and appointed several individuals related to himself and his wife; Jalesi Nakarawa, Naivote Qionitoga, Simeli Tikotani, and Viliame Baleisawana as Temporary Relieving Correction Officers (Class C), and subsequently approved their permanent enlistment into the Corrections Service without following the established recruitment procedures.

It is alleged that Dr Nakarawa, in the establishment of the position of Nurse Practitioner authorized a salary range higher than that accorded to the existing position of Senior Medical Officer within the Corrections Service.

There are also allegations that on the 20th of January 2025, Mrs Vakaloloma Nakarawa was appointed as Nurse Practitioner, Central/Eastern Division within the Fiji Corrections Service and Dr Nakarawa on the 20th January, 2025, removed Dr Rayvan Singh from his position of Senior Medical Officer without providing a reason or affording him due process.

It is alleged that this removal was motivated by personal interest to benefit his wife.

Dr Nakarawa on the 23rd of January 2025, allegedly appointed his wife, Mrs Vakaloloma Nakarawa Nurse Practitioner to temporarily fill the vacant position of Senior Medical Officer for the Central Eastern Division and Southern Division.

It is alleged that this appointment was made in the absence of necessary qualifications and experience and in clear conflict of interest.

Dr Nakarawa, on the 28th of August 2024, allegedly sanctioned a payment of $6,869.00 from the Corrections Service Welfare and Sports Fund to fund the Fiji Corrections Officers Wives Association volleyball tournament.

It is alleged that Dr Nakarawa on the 12th of December 2024, sanctioned payments from the Fiji Corrections Service Welfare and Sports Fund to furnish his official residence and on or about the 17th of January 2025, sanctioned a payment from the Corrections Service Welfare and Sports Fund to purchase boat fares for his wife and the wife of Akuila Namakadre.

There are also allegations that Dr Nakarawa sanctioned the use of the Fiji Corrections Service Mechanical Garage to repair private vehicles belonging to his wife Mrs. Vakaloloma Nakarawa and Mr. Akuila Namakadre and also permitted the use of official office facilities and resources including office space, tents, band and utilities such as water and electricity for the benefit of the NHQ wives fundraising initiative.

Dr Nakarawa also allegedly permitted the use of official office facilities and resources including office space, tents, band and utilities such as water and electricity for the benefit of the NHQ wives fundraising initiative.

He allegedly took his wife on an official trip to Hong Kong and used government funds to cover her travel and accommodation expenses.

There are also allegations that Dr Nakarawa arbitrarily removed Mrs Helen Koi, Mrs Salesia Racace and Mr Ilisoni Ratumaikoro from their substantive positions and reassigned them to roles with lesser pay.

Mrs Helen Koi and Mrs Salesia Racaca were allegedly subsequently terminated without cause.

Dr Nakarawa allegedly appointed Auta Moceisuva to the position of Deputy Commissioner, Akuila Namakadre to the position of Assistant Commissioner and James Koroitubuna to the position of International Relations Officer.

It is alleged that these appointments were made without adhering to an open, transparent and competitive selection process based on merit.

Dr Nakarawa allegedly unilaterally approved and implemented a change to the staff insurance provider from Fiji Care to BSP Life without conducting proper consultations with the affected employees.

While reading his affidavit in court, Dr Nakarawa's stepson Inia Yavala says after sending in his application with the help of his mother, he was called into the Corrections Service where the assistant commissioner had his employment letter, which he signed.

He says after working for a few days in the Temporary Relieving Correction Officers (Class C), he had signed his appointment letter.

The counsel for suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Dr Jalesi Nakarawa intends to cross examine 4 witnesses, including Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga for alleged political interference during the tribunal hearing into allegations of misbehaviour by Dr Nakarawa

This was confirmed by Dr Nakarawa's counsel Simione Valenitabua as they appeared before a 3-member tribunal including Justice Daniel Goundar, Justice Savenaca Banuve and Justice Dane Tuiqereqere this afternoon.

He says they will also cross examine the Secretary of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the Solicitor General, Ropate Green, the Corrections Director HR and the current Acting Commissioner.

Valenitabua says they have accepted 32 affidavits as true and correct.

Meanwhile, counsel assisting the tribunal, Juleen Fatiaki says she will be taking a two-tiered approach where they will first determine facts and then if it constitutes as misbehaviour according to the Constitution, constituting removal from the office.

She says 37 affidavits have been tendered with consent while she will be clarifying matters with 12 witnesses, including Dr Nakarawa.

Fatiaki says former Corrections Director Medical Services Dr Orisi Vulibulu will also be called.

The tribunal hearing will begin tomorrow as Fatiaki and Valenitabua will confirm the questions asked of the tribunal.

Suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa has been given time to review the first set of amended allegations against him with his counsel.

Dr. Nakarawa appeared before the three-member tribunal investigating allegations of professional misconduct against him.

The tribunal is chaired by Justice Daniel Goundar, with Justices Savenaca Banuve and Dane Tuiqereqere serving as members.

Assisting the tribunal, lawyer Juleen Fatiaki stated that another set of disclosures will be ready by Monday and served on Tuesday next week.

The pre-trial conference has been scheduled for next Tuesday.

The Principal Corrections Officer working at Fiji Corrections Service Garage at Walu Bay has told the Constitutional Offices Commission tribunal looking into allegations of misbehaviour against suspended Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa that he had worked on Dr Nakarawa's wife's private vehicle twice after it was brought to the garage by Dr Nakarawa's driver.

Esala Ravonokula says he worked on the vehicle for a fixed payment after the Mechanical Garage Policy was created.

He says Dr Nakarawa's driver Daniel Lobendahn had brought the vehicle after he had heard a weird noise in the vehicle.

While responding to questions by Dr Nakarawa's counsel, Simione Valenitabua, Ravonokula also says he took the driver's word that the vehicle belonged to the wife and that he was not instructed by Dr Nakarawa that the driver would be bringing the vehicle.

He says the driver also did not say that he was instructed by Dr Nakarawa.

Ravonokula also agreed with Valenitabua that the policy did not come in for Dr Nakarawa's wife and that it was brought in so that inmates could work on staff vehicles without paying for the service.

The Corrections Officer also agreed that repairing the private vehicle at the roadside with his own tools was a one-off incident.

While responding to a question by counsel assisting the tribunal, Juleen Fatiaki, Ravonokula says he used his own tools as he was not allowed to use FCS tools.

Another mechanic based at the garage, Jitendra Chand told the tribunal that the private vehicle was brought to the garage on two different occasions, once before and once after the policy came in place.

He says money was paid after the policy came in place.

When questioned by Valenitabua, Chand says the main beneficiaries of the policy are the inmates as they can now work on different types of vehicles.

He adds a logbook on the service and payment is kept and agreed that there is no secret.

Chand also says that Ravonokula had worked on Dr Nakarawa's wife's private vehicle after work hours on the roadside with his own tools.

The tribunal hearing continues this afternoon.

Deputy Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Auta Moceisuva has told the Constitutional Offices Commission Tribunal, which is looking into allegations of misbehaviour against suspended Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, that Dr. Nakarawa personally handed him his wife’s application letter for the Nurse Practitioner’s position.

While reading his affidavit in the Suva High Court, Moceisuva said he raised his concern with Dr. Nakarawa that the application could be a possible conflict of interest but Dr. Nakarawa responded that his wife had consulted her colleagues in the nursing profession, and from her understanding, there had been similar cases of such application processes at her former workplace.

Moceisuva says Dr. Nakarawa also told him that his wife felt that, with her qualifications, she had the right to apply for the Nurse Practitioner’s position.

He added that he then passed the application to Mrs Salesia Racaca, who also raised the same concern.

Moceisuva also highlighted that the Nurse Practitioner’s position was not on the approved list of new positions endorsed by the Ministry of Finance, but instead, the divisional nurse position was approved.

He says the Nurse Practitioner’s position was created by Dr. Nakarawa based on his own assessment as an important area of focus.

The Deputy Commissioner says the inclusion of the Nurse Practitioner position was approved by Dr. Nakarawa at the expense of trading off certain other positions.

He added that when the advertisement from the Ministry of Finance, specifically for the divisional nurse position, was published in August or September 2024, Dr. Nakarawa was furious because it did not reflect the Nurse Practitioner position.

Moceisuva said Racaca, Akuila Namakadre and he were summoned to appear before Dr. Nakarawa on a Saturday morning, where the Commissioner expressed serious concern that some positions were not included in the advertisement.

He said that the following Monday, he received a demotion letter and was reassigned to another role as Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Training and Rehabilitation.

Moceisuva also stated in court that he was not involved in the recruitment process of Jeremaia Yavala, the stepson of Dr. Nakarawa.

He says Yavala was appointed as a temporary Correctional Officer Class C on 9th October 2024 by the Commissioner and was posted to the engineering unit on a short-term contract.

He also says that on 28th October 2024, he sent an email to Racaca instructing him to transfer Yavala from the engineering unit to the CCTV unit, as he was verbally directed by Dr. Nakarawa to do so.

Moceisuva told the court that Dr. Nakarawa informed him that Yavala had complained to his mother that he was doing hard labour in the engineering unit and was not used to lifting bags of cement or handling steel and wood.

He said Dr. Nakarawa further mentioned that there was a need for more manpower in the CCTV supervisor’s office based on the workload at that time.

The Deputy Commissioner says that a little later, due to poor performance, Yavala was terminated from the Fiji Corrections Service.

Moceisuva revealed that Yavala was terminated for poor performance, frequent absenteeism, and an incident where he was allegedly drunk at a bus stand, which reflected poorly on the institution.

When asked by lawyer Juleen Fatiaki on the normal process of submitting applications, Moceisuva says all applications are submitted electronically or it is brought to their reception.

When cross-examined by Dr Nakarawa’s lawyer, Sevuloni Valenitabua if he had raised the issue of receiving Mrs Nakarawa’s application from Dr Nakarawa himself to the line-minister, the Deputy Commissioner says he is only obliged to look at operations.

He says he has served with five commissioners and has not seen any of their wives applying for a position in the Corrections Service.

When asked about the Welfare and Sports Fund that was used to fund the NHQ Wives Volleyball tournament and the purchase of a drawer for the Commissioner’s residence, Moceisuva says the approval was wrong because it should have been brought before the board for discussion but this was not done.

He says when the drawer issue was brought to them, the drawer was already in the Commissioner’s residence.

The tribunal continues this afternoon.

Fiji Corrections Service Custodial Officer Adrian Bukavulo has told the Constitutional Offices Commission Tribunal, which is looking into allegations of misbehaviour against suspended Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, that he was deeply affected by his wrongful termination — which created immense financial and emotional strain.

While sharing his affidavit in court, Bukavulo said he was terminated by Dr. Nakarawa on the 5th of February, 2025 after being wrongly diagnosed by Mrs. Nakarawa as having tested positive for methamphetamine.

He said that on the 4th of February, 2025, officers were told they would undergo a drug test conducted by Mrs. Nakarawa.

The next day, he received his termination letter, stating that he had tested positive for methamphetamine.

Bukavulo told the Tribunal that on the same day, he went to see Shelvin Prakash, a lab technician at VanMed Labs, to verify the result.

Prakash informed him that he had not tested positive for methamphetamine, but for MDMA, a compound found in certain painkillers.

Bukavulo said he submitted a letter of redress for wrongful termination to Dr. Nakarawa, explaining that he had been taking painkillers to manage a severe toothache.

He said he also provided a copy of the Nasinu Corrections Centre nurse’s statement, verifying that he was taking pain medication.

Despite this information, Dr. Nakarawa responded on the 17th of February, 2025, stating that he would not reconsider the termination.

Bukavulo told the Tribunal that, as the primary breadwinner of his family, losing his job left him without any means to support their livelihood.

He added that the allegations also damaged his reputation, with people spreading false claims about his character.

He said he felt defamed, humiliated, and unfairly stigmatised by something that was not only false but devastating to both his personal and professional life.

Lab Manager Shelvin Prakash also took the stand and told the Tribunal that Bukavulo came to their office on the 5th of February, 2025, to ask for the true result of his test.

Prakash said Bukavulo told him that he had been informed he tested positive for methamphetamine, but that result did not match what the lab had.

He confirmed that he told Bukavulo he had tested positive for MDMA and advised him to consult a doctor to further interpret the result.

Prakash also revealed in court that he received an email from Commissioner Dr. Nakarawa, instructing him not to share the test results with the officers who were tested.

Justice Dane Tuiqereqere then asked Prakash why he was not permitted to share the results, given that the outcome directly affected the officers.

The Tribunal continues today where the prosecution is expected to call four witnesses.

Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga has told the Constitutional Offices Commission Tribunal looking into the allegations of misbehaviour by suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, that he was not consulted by the suspended Commissioner about his wife applying for the Nurse Practitioner’s position at the Corrections Service.

While being questioned by lawyer Juleen Fatiaki on whether he had approved the creation of the nurse practitioner position at the Fiji Corrections Service, Turaga said he did not.

He says Dr. Nakarawa was fully endorsed by the Committee, but soon after taking up his appointment, they began to see behavioural changes in the operations of the Fiji Corrections Service.

The Acting Attorney-General says that in 2023, his son wanted to join the Corrections Service, but he told him not to because people would see it as a conflict of interest and believe he was using his position to influence the recruitment process.

He adds that Dr. Nakarawa should have done the same and should not have allowed his wife to take up the role of nurse practitioner.

The Minister also revealed in court that the Nurse Practitioner position was not part of the posts recommended in the cabinet paper that was approved in Parliament.

He says the position was created by the suspended commissioner.

Turaga also says he had been trying to meet with Dr. Nakarawa, but the suspended commissioner did not want to meet, often making excuses.

He adds that he wrote to the Prime Minister, who chairs the Constitutional Offices Commission, about the complaints he was receiving and advised him of what had occurred.

The Minister says it is sad to see that Dr. Nakarawa did not live up to the expectations of the COC and him as the minister.

Turaga says Dr. Nakarawa should have informed him about the selection of his wife for the role of nurse practitioner, and he only found out on the day of the appointment.

He says there were many complaints he received about this matter, and he forwarded all the complaints to the COC.

The tribunal will continue at 2.30pm tomorrow.

Terminated Fiji Corrections Service Director of Human Resources, Assistant Commissioner Salesia Racaca has told the Constitutional Offices Commission Tribunal that two proceedings were carried out against her in relation to the appointment of suspended Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa's wife's job application for the position of a nurse practitioner.

While responding to questions before the COC Tribunal looking into the allegations of misbehaviour by Dr Nakarawa, Racaca says she was told by Dr Nakarawa to make the newspaper advertisement for the position of a nurse practitioner more attractive, a day before it was to be published.

She says it was the first time she was told to make the advertisement more attractive by including lodging and extra duty allowance entitlements, which were conditional and only applicable to contracted individuals.

The terminated officer says Deputy Commissioner Auta Moceisuva called her on Saturday, 19th October, last year for a meeting where some of them were told off for not following instructions as the ad was already in the newspaper without the added details while they had managed to put the details on their website by about 5.30pm that day.

She says Dr Nakarawa had told them that the ad did not include requirements and qualifications of a nurse practitioner and his wife, who is a nurse practitioner, was disappointed.

When asked if she had known at this point that Mrs Nakarawa had also applied, Racaca says she did not know as they were working under fear and could not discuss issues.

She says had she known, she would have told her not to apply as it was unethical.

Racaca also says she was handed Mrs Nakarawa’s application from Moceisuva but applications could only be received through hand delivery, email or on their site.

She says it did not appear to come through the normal HR process as it did not have a stamp.

The terminated Director HR says Mrs Nakarawa’s married name was not reflected in her Expression of Interest letter or the CV.

Racaca says she realised Mrs Nakarawa had applied after she was shortlisted while Moceisuva and Assistant Commissioner Akuila Namakadre knew who she was.

She also says Nakarawa had influenced the process by giving the additional requirements for the role of a nurse practitioner.

Racaca revealed that there was no position for Nurse Practitioner before this.

She also says that two days after telling the staff in a meeting that Mrs Nakarawa had applied, she was sent on leave for 56 days on 25th November, last year.

Racaca says she sought redress but was given a transfer the very next day and that she was told by Naba that she had to sign the contract of a Director’s position or she would be terminated.

She also says she was charged with failing to follow instructions two days after being told off, while the Board of Inquiry was conducting interviews, and was only informed about it after returning from leave.

She says she was told that she was fined 5 days of loss of pay and two weeks later, she was terminated for seeking legal advice after getting instructions to terminate John Kalepi and Helen Koi.

Racaca says she did not appear before a tribunal and that Assistant Commissioner Sevuloni Naucukidi had recommended for 5 days of loss of pay but the Manager Legal at that time, Aisea Vucago had written to the Commissioner to review the decision.

She says Dr Nakarawa reviewed the decision and decided to terminate the contract.

While responding to Dr Nakarawa’s counsel Simione Valenitabua’s questions, Racaca agreed Dr Nakarawa had sought legal advice before terminating her and decided to withdraw the termination.

She also agreed that she had received no response but when she called the Finance Department, she was informed that they had her termination letter.

Tribunal member Justice Dane Tuiqereqere then asked Valenitabua that does it look good for Dr Nakarawa that one day he said he will review the decision and the next day, terminate her without reason.

Tribunal Chair Justice Daniel Goundar also asked Valenitabua how he wants the tribunal to construe this termination and is he accepting that the termination was not justified.

Valenitabua says it is premature to answer at this point and will address it when the time comes.

He has asked for 28 days to file Dr Nakarawa’s affidavit in response to all the allegations.

As the hearing continues, the counsel assisting the tribunal, Juleen Fatiaki says she has four more witnesses and hopes to conclude this afternoon.