Nakarawa pleads not guilty to amended allegations

Suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Jalesi Nakarawa has pleaded not guilty to the amended allegations made against him by the State prosecution. 

Nakarawa appeared with his lawyer before the three-member tribunal, Judge Justice Daniel Goundar, Court of Appeal Judge, Savenaca Banuve and Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere who joined from the High Court in Labasa yesterday. 

The tribunal is in relation to multiple allegations of misconduct against Mr Nakarawa who was suspended on March 29, this year. During the proceeding, the counsel assisting the tribunal, Juleen Fatiaki, told the court the third volume of disclosures were going to be ready by next Monday. 

This volume would include the affidavit of a witness that now lives in Sydney, Australia. However, the second disclosure includes 13 affidavits pertaining to allegations against Mr Nakarawa. 

Mr Valenitabua has informed the court that Mr Valenitabua Junior will be back in time for the hearing that is set for November 3 to 14. 

The matter was adjourned to October 24 for final pre-trial conference before any further preliminary submissions can be made.