Yavala rejects allegations of preferential entry into Corrections Service

The second stepson of suspended Corrections Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa has denied accusations made by four corrections officers that he failed the BRC-24 recruitment exercise last year.

Inia Yavala, 24, maintained a composed demeanor as he walked into the tribunal court at the High Court in Suva this morning.

In his testimony, the former corrections officer and current law student at the University of the South Pacific stated that he passed all four stages of the recruitment exercise and became an officer without using any affiliations to his father.

He told the court that he applied for the recruitment after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper, and that his mother was unaware of his application.

He remembered passing the fitness test which included: 

•  2.4 kilometers run,  
• 30 press-ups,  
• 50 seat ups and 
• 50 chins up exercises.  

He denied the allegation that he was pulled out of a Shore Buses bus that was transporting successful participants, or that he entered an ambulance.

Mr Yavala testified that he left the Naboro grounds on the bus.

Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere questioned Mr Yavala about the testimonies of fitness instructor Alipate Gagalevu, former FCS Commander Staff Corrections Academy Isireli Nataqa, and former Training Warrant Officer Tevita Raileqe, who all testified that he failed the exercise but was brought back into the Academy through his father’s directives.

 He told the court he didn’t know why the officers were lying, but their records and results were all falsified. 

 Although dismissing all the claims made by the previous witnesses, Mr Yavala could not recommend or mention anyone that could vouch for him. He only referred to the instructors who took his Fitness test. 

 Mr Yavala also denied any relationship to the four other officers alleged to be his relatives. He told the court that he wasn’t related to Jalesi Nakarawa who is now a custodial officer. 

Before ending his testimony, Mr Yavala maintained the evidence he gave this morning were all true and under oath.

The hearing continues.