Suspended FCS Chief accused of nepotism

Suspended Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Commissioner, Jalesi Nakarawa unlawfully used his powers to employ family members last year, the Tribunal Court in Suva heard yesterday.

Mr Nakarawa is accused of making unlawful appointments, sanctioning salaries and funds while he was the Commissioner.

Five of the eight witnesses testified that Mr Nakarawa abused his authority in recruiting his stepson, Jeremaia Yavala, who was one of the eight witnesses that took the stand.

Mr Nakarawa is accused of recruiting his stepson and four other officers believed to be his relatives.

It is also alleged that Mr Nakarawa appointed his wife, Vakaloloma Nakarawa, as nurse practitioner and senior medical officer. He is also alleged to have demoted three senior officers and promoted the current Deputy Commissioner, Auta Moceisuva, Assistant Commissioner, Akuila Namakadre and International Relations Officer, James Koroitubuna, without following due process.

Hearing

Mr Yavala told the court that he received a call from his mother to join the FCS as a temporary reliving corrections officer in Class C.

He testified he did not have the required skill set when he was placed at the Engineering Department for two weeks before being transferred to the CCTV Unit.

Corrections officer Alipate Qaqalevu said Mr Yavala did not complete the 2.4 kilometre-run, which was the second stage of the recruitment training, prompting the officers to pull him off the team.

Mr Qaqalevu said the policy to pull failed participants off the team had just started last year. Mr Yavala was among the second batch to undergo the exercise.

He told the court that when he saw Mr Nakarawa’s vehicle pass by the training area, he knew something was up; and it wasn’t long before he received instructions to get Mr Yavala back in the recruitment process.

He said Mr Yavala failed two out of four tests, but was still interviewed and recruited. He said he found it unfair because 27 of the 55 participants in the same batch failed the same fitness test.

All witnesses maintained that despite what they deemed unlawful; they were trained to follow orders or face disciplinary proceedings where it would either cost them a fine or dismissal.

Further up the chain of Command, former FCS Commander Staff Corrections Academy and current Supervisor North Division, Isireli Nataqa told the court he was instructed by the late Senior Superintendent, Apakuki Qura to get Mr Yavala back as it was the directive from Mr Nakarawa. Mr Nataqa responded to Mr Nakarawa’s lawyer, Simione Valenitabua Junior, that this was not stated in his affidavit as it was not part of the interview questions.

Mr Valenitabua Junior is making submissions to the tribunal today about their contention to having Mr Qura’s affidavit tendered in as evidence. He argued in court that Mr Qura’s death makes it hard for them, especially when they cannot cross examine him.

The hearing will proceed this afternoon where the State prosecution will present four more witnesses.

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