Fiji Corrections Service officers’ fund ‘used for wife’, tribunal told

Suspended Corrections Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa is alleged to have approved the use of funds from the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Welfare and Sports Fund to support his wife’s activities, the Tribunal Court in Suva heard yesterday.

The Welfare and Sports Fund, generated from deductions from every corrections officer, was intended solely for officers’ welfare and sports events.

FCS Director of Funds and Logistics, John Kelepi, told the court that Vakaloloma Nakarawa (Mr Nakarawa's wife), who earned a salary of $58,036, may have written to her husband requesting funds to support activities such as the National Headquarters volleyball tournament and other initiatives.

He said FCS resources, including office space, tents, a band, water, and electricity, were also used to support these events.

Mr Kelepi told the court the fund was strictly for officers and not their spouses, as the wives were not signatories to the FCS contract.

He also referred to an incident where Mr Nakarawa bought a drawer, took it to his residence, and instructed him to pay for it. Since the item was not listed in the FCS budget, Mr Kelepi said he could not process the payment through official channels.

The supplier later approached FCS for payment, and the board approved the amount to be settled through the Welfare and Sports Fund. When questioned, Mr Nakarawa reportedly claimed the drawer was government property.

Mr Kelepi also testified that restructuring within the institution had affected staff morale, noting that his superior, Helen Koi, was demoted to her former position while he was promoted.

He said it was standard disciplinary practice not to object to superiors’ directives, especially when they came from the Commissioner.

He further told the court that Mr Nakarawa and former Deputy Commissioner Akuila Namakadre did not like working with Ms Koi and ACCS Salesi Racaca.

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