Tribunal told complaints were coordinated to permanently remove Nakarawa

Evidence before the tribunal suggests that complaints against suspended Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa may have been compiled to serve a political agenda aimed at permanently removing him from office.

The tribunal heard this on Saturday from witness Filipe Bainivalu, the former Personal Staff Officer (PSO) to the Acting Commissioner, who was the second-last witness to take the stand in the proceedings into Nakarawa’s suspension.

Mr Bainivalu said he only became aware of the situation after he was appointed PSO on April 9 this year.

He testified that Assistant Commissioner Administration Rusiate Batiratu was actively involved in coordinating and compiling material intended to form the evidence against the suspended Commissioner.

He said his predecessor, Sevuloni Naucukidi, had attended numerous meetings with the Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga, where operational matters and complaints about Mr Nakarawa were discussed.

Mr Bainivalu told the tribunal that during one such meeting, the Minister for Justice instructed Mr Naucukidi to compile the complaints in writing and forward them to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC).

In that same meeting, the Minister allegedly confirmed his working relationship with the suspended Commissioner was “not good,” adding in iTaukei:
“Na qase qo me kua ni lesu tale mai” — (this old man should never come back).

Mr Bainivalu said this statement made it clear to him that the intention from “the highest level of justice” was the permanent removal of Dr Nakarawa, regardless of the strength of any allegations.

He said this conclusion was based not on assumption but on the context of ongoing discussions leading up to that meeting.
According to him, the complaints were not being genuinely investigated but “weaponised” to achieve a “predetermined political outcome.”

He said this view was reinforced by repeated daily conversations in which similar comments were allegedly made.

Mr Bainivalu said the allegations compiled by Mr Batiratu included claims of nepotism, medical malpractice, issues with welfare fund payments, and a trip to Hong Kong — though these were often “general issues.”

His participation in meetings with the Minister continued until he was removed from the PSO role and reassigned to the Corrections Command Centre. He also confirmed that he was later terminated after filing a criminal complaint against the Acting Commissioner.

Under cross-examination, Mr Bainivalu said he could not confirm whether Mr Batiratu coerced anyone to give evidence.
He also confirmed that he did not hear the Minister instruct anyone to “create allegations” or “make up evidence.”