Corrections Commissioner says he will fully support an investigation

Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Doctor Jalesi Nakarawa says he is open and will fully support an investigation

Dr. Nakarawa highlighted this to the media from Vaturekuka, Labasa at the opening of the Corrections new head quarters in the North, saying he was on leave when he received a letter from the Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga to extend his leave.

He says he wrote back to the Minister advising him that he was returning to work from leave.

The Commissioner says now that he is back at work he is not sure if he is under investigation as he has not been told.

He says the letter written to him says that he is under investigation and he is waiting for the Committee to be appointed.

In an earlier interview, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Government will exhaust all processes provided under the Constitution in addressing issues relating to the Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service Doctor Jalesi Nakarawa.

This comes as the Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga in an earlier statement had said that Dr Nakarawa was sent on leave after the Ministry of Justice received reports of serious incidents and potential breaches within the Corrections under his leadership.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Rabuka says the Government notes that Dr Nakarawa has completed his annual leave and has resumed his duties in office.

Turaga had earlier said that allegations against Dr Nakarawa raise significant concerns regarding the governance, security, conduct, management and administration of the Corrections Service and warrants immediate investigation.

Section 130(4) of the Constitution states the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service is appointed by the President, on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission, following consultation with the Minister responsible for the Fiji Corrections Service.

According to Section 130(6) the Minister responsible for the Fiji Corrections Service may from time to time issue general policy directions with respect to the Fiji Corrections Service and, if such a direction has been issued, the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service must act in accordance with it.

There are no provisions in the Constitution with relation to the Minister responsible's power to send the Commissioner on leave.