Dr Nakarawa’s stepson failed fitness test but was called back to complete recruitment process

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.