FICAC remains silent on whether a full independent investigation and assessment has been done regarding the complaint against Fiji Sports Council senior executives, and how was this done as the Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika is the sister-in-law of the Fiji Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure.
Questions are being raised after Vakalalabure was recently cleared by FICAC.
Dismissed FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali's lawyer, Tanya Waqanika says only in Fiji this nonsense is openly entertained and condoned where an institution headed by a close family member clears another and everyone including the Minister of Youth and Sports (the line Minister of the Fiji Sports Council) says it’s “all good”.
Waqanika also says she questioned a Fiji Sports Council board member whether all the board members raised and registered their concern after the clearance on the “conflict of interest” given the relationship of the Acting Commissioner FICAC and CEO of the Fiji Sports Council.
Waqanika says the complaint should have been referred to the ODPP and Rokoika should have cleared her hands from the file.
The complaint was sent to the then FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali on 31st March 2025.
The allegations made by a former Fiji Sports Council employee included misuse of Fiji Airways Contra Agreement where a partnership intended exclusively for official Council business was used for personal benefit, unauthorised travel for family members, misallocation of resources where a Minister’s spouse was accommodated on a business-class ticket at the Council’s expense displacing the Team Manager who was originally scheduled to travel and suppression of concerns when the former employee formally raised objections (both in writing and verbally), Vakalalabure allegedly dismissed the matter, instructing him to "drop the issue" after the Minister offered belated reimbursement.
The former employee highlighted several alleged breaches at the Fiji Sports Council to FICAC on 31st March 2025 and formally requested a comprehensive forensic audit of all financial transactions referenced in the complaint; an external review of HR disciplinary processes to address alleged bias in enforcement; legal scrutiny of all unauthorized contracts that were executed without proper approval; and the immediate suspension of all implicated officers pending the outcome of these investigations to prevent any further compromise of evidence or potential interference with due process.
The former staff member said the Fiji Sports Council’s integrity and public trust are at stake.
FICAC executed a search warrant at the Fiji Sports Council Headquarters on 8th May 2025.
The Fiji Sports Council confirmed on that day that FICAC executed a search warrant at their premises and obtained documents as part of a preliminary investigation.
Vakalalabure said they understand this follows a complaint believed to have been lodged by a former employee whose employment was terminated.
He said they wish to reassure the public, stakeholders, and partners that the Council remains committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity in all their operations.
Malimali was dismissed as Acting FICAC Commissioner on June 2nd 2025.
We have also asked if FICAC is investigating the Fiji Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure and the former Permanent Secretary for Forests, Atelaite Rokosuka in relation to the controversial wind turbine project plan after Rokosuka was found guilty by the Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal and reprimanded publicly.
It was also earlier highlighted by the Public Service Commission Chairman, Luke Rokovada that Gilbert Vakalalabure was also involved in the failed wind turbine project plan.
They have not responded.
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