Corrections Officer says he was wrongly diagnosed by Mrs. Nakarawa as having tested positive for meth

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.