Nakarawa claims political interference at FCS

Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) suspended Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa has claimed that Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga influenced his subordinates to file complaints against him to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC).

After weeks of anticipation, Nakarawa finally gave evidence last Saturday as the last witness to take the stand at the Tribunal hearing in Suva. He responded to multiple allegations levelled against him.

Nakarawa agreed with earlier witnesses that his relationship with his line minister had deteriorated.

He said tensions began after he started restructuring temporary positions within the institution — actions he said the Minister had not been informed of.

Nakarawa maintained that his restructuring was carried out under Section 130(5) of the 2013 Constitution, which gives the Commissioner responsibility for the organisation and administration of FCS, as well as control over its operations.

He told the Tribunal he later discovered that Mr Turaga had been briefing FCS officers to compile and lodge complaints against him with the COC.

“It was then I knew, I couldn’t tell him anything else because there was heavy political interference,” Nakarawa said.

Court of Appeal Judge Justice Savenaca Banuve questioned Nakarawa’s actions, saying they appeared to alter an established structure.

“You don’t have to like him but whether you did or not, the Constitution clearly stated you must consult him,” Justice Banuve said.

“You are already trying to change a JEE policy that was already consulted before you came in and was approved by the Cabinet.”

When asked whether he had declared a conflict of interest when employing his wife as the new Nursing Practitioner, Nakarawa replied:
“At that time, I didn’t think it was important, but in hindsight, maybe, yes I should have.”