On Wednesday, Fiji Police Force investigators conducted a search at the Fiji Airways office as part of an ongoing investigation into Waqavuka Holdings.

The Chief of Intelligence, Investigations and Prosecutions, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sakeo Raikaci, said the search was related to investigations on Waqavuka Holdings.

The investigation was initiated after a complaint was lodged o n May 15, 2023, alleging fraudulent activities. Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, affirmed that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were actively investigating Waqavuka Holdings.

Timeline of complaint

• May 15, 2023 – The complainant lodged a complaint alleging fraudulent activities in relation to Waqavuka

Holdings

•  June 1, 2023 – The complainant wrote to the Acting Commissioner of Police Fong Chew alleging the lack of action by a senior police officer.
• June 07, 2023- Police executed a legal search of the Fiji Airways office in Nadi.

Police Response

On June 1, 2023, Acting Commissioner of Police Fong Chew acknowledged receiving the letter of complaint.

He explained that investigations involving complex cases like Waqavuka Holdings required considerable time due to the involvement of various documents and correspondences, which often needed verification from international sources.

“If you look at the report, there are many allegations made against the senior police officer,” Acting Commissioner Fong-Chew said.

“They must understand that when a report of this nature is lodged, especially when it is Waqavuka Holdings investigation, it takes time.

“There are documents involved. It is not a simple assault case where you get the medical report and in the next two days you are able to produce the accused in court. We need to verify the documents and correspondents; we need to verify claims.”

The Acting Commissioner emphasised that the investigation would continue despite the allegations made against police officers.

“There is a paper trail, verifications and these are not done locally. It has to be done abroad to get it done before we can pinpoint that something criminal in nature has occurred,” he said.

“We will keep on doing our investigation even though there are allegations made against our officers.”

Waqavuka Holdings

Waqavuka Holdings was established as a special purpose company responsible for holding the titles of three Airbus A330 aircraft until the loan was repaid.

The ownership of the company and the aircraft’s title were held by a security agent on behalf of the European Export Credit Agency (ECA) and a consortium of German banks.

Once the loan was fully paid, ownership of Waqavuka Financing and the aircraft’s title would be transferred back to the airline.

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