There were worrying signs last night after Fiji Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure's driver came back to the office to try and take some items after the announcement yesterday afternoon that Vakalalabure and Manager Operations, Litia Senibulu have been sent on leave pending independent investigations.
fijivillage News was told by concerned staff that some files were loaded into the CEO's official vehicle and they were stopped by security.
The concern is that this was being done after official hours without any notification to the Board and it was after the letters were served to Vakalalabure and Senibulu.
We have also been informed that the IT person was also in the room at the time and it is not known what he was doing at this stage.
The staff say they took photos of the Manager Operations allegedly seen in the CEO's office, handing files to the CEO's driver, who then went out the side door to load it in the CEO's vehicle.
When fijivillage News contacted Fiji Sports Council Deputy Chairman, Peter Mazey, he said he has been advised about this and that is why a Council Board member and security was there to confirm no Fiji Sports Council documents or files were removed.
He says the only items they are permitted to remove are personal which is being checked by the security and the Board member on site.
Mazey says computer forensics will be checking on any entry and removal of data.
He adds it is good that staff are already working with the Board.
The independent investigation into the Fiji Sports Council CEO and Manager Operations starts today.
fijivillage News visited the scene last night, and we found out that the Board member checked the items but there serious concerns have been raised why this was being done after hours and following the serving of letters to Vakalalabure to confirm they are under investigation, and are being sent on leave.
The Fiji Sports Council Board has signed on independent investigators, Pherrus Financial Services, an accounting firm based in Sydney and Suva, to look into the allegations against the Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure and Manager Operations, Litia Senibulu.
Mazey says at a Special Board Meeting of the Fiji Sports Council Board on 17th February 2026, the Board reviewed the presentations of allegations with supporting evidence currently being delivered through local media and social media platforms.
After discussions it was resolved that the Board will not dwell on the FICAC ruling as the FICAC case has been closed, and it will appoint an independent investigator to examine the fresh allegations levelled against Fiji Sports Council.
Week 1 of the Terms of Reference of the investigation is the contra deals with Fiji Airways and others, the Fiji Sports Council U20's Rugby 7's Hamilton Trip, the Sports Council U20's Sevens Team and Council Sponsored Sports Tournaments and the restructure of operations and staffing including pay rises.
Week 2 of the investigation includes the appointment as Executive Chairman of Gilbert Vakalalabure indefinitely, CEO Appointment, driver overtime for private use, staff engagement, contracts and tender processes, and motor vehicles.
Week 3 of the investigation include alleged rampant mismanagement and unauthorised expenses, response to Board resolution, staff concerns and reported breaches of policy and or law, agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy Ltd, SportsWorx Agreement – Brett Jenkins and Pacific Procurement Management and Investment Services.
The investigations include several issues of actions and decisions taken without Board approval, issues like the concerning substandard work done on the HFC Stadium tracks a few years ago and Vakalalabure and the failed $115 million Infinite Power Clean Energy (Fiji) Ple Limited wind turbine plan.
Public Service Commission Chair Luke Rokovada had earlier said that an investigation was commissioned by PSC following reports about the deal that was entered into by the Fiji Sports Council through the Executive Chair, Gilbert Vakalalabure and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry through the Permanent Secretary.
Rokovada had said the Fiji Sports Council had entered the agreement without any knowledge of the Permanent Secretary of Sports and the Board of the Sports Council.
Several questions have been raised on whether the Fiji Sports Council Executive Chair was investigated regarding this wind turbine scandal.
When we had asked the Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika, she said she could not reveal anything on whether Vakalalabure was under investigation.
She also did not comment when asked on how she was dealing with matters arising where the allegations are against Gilbert Vakalalabre, who is her brother in law.
Meanwhile fijivillage News had earlier highlighted about questions raised from within the Ministry of Sports and the Fiji Sports Council about the risk of potential evidence tampering as the CEO of Fiji Sports Council, Gilbert Vakalalabure remained in office after the announcement by the Prime Minister late last month that independent investigations will be conducted.
The issues mainly deal with alleged conflict of interest and decisions being made without the Sports Council Board's approval.
A whistleblower who is a former staff member of the Fiji Sports Council maintains many decisions being made were not approved by the Board which included business class travel under the Sports Council contra deal with Fiji Airways for Vakalalabure, his wife, the Sports Minister, Jese Saukuru and his wife's travel without the Sports Council's Board approval.
This contra deal was for the Sports Council.
It has also come to light that the Sports Council's grassroots 7s tournaments which cost a lot of money was being organised without the Council's Board approval, and the team going to NZ for a tournament there last year, also did not have Board approval.
We had earlier contacted Vakalalabure. He is yet to comment.
Stay with us for developments.
