Questions mount after Charters detainment by FICAC

The man who publicly raised allegations of corruption and abuse of office involving the Fiji Sports Council (FSC) and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) was detained and later arrested in Nadi today.

Charlie Charters, a former journalist, was stopped at Nadi International Airport at 1.22pm after a FICAC alert was placed on his file.

Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto confirmed the Immigration Department acted on an alert order issued by FICAC.

“We at immigration do not have any authority but when we have been alerted then that is where we step in and the authorities do their job, not us,” Mr Naupoto said.

Mr Charters is believed to be in FICAC custody.

The Fijian Media Association (FMA) issued a statement expressing concern over the developments.

“The Fijian Media Association (FMA) is concerned with today’s developments involving Mr Charlie Charters, who was earlier stopped at Nadi International Airport and is now reported to be in the custody of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) having been brought to Suva.

“The FMA is alarmed that the detainment and arrest look like a re-enactment of scenes from a dark past that we fought hard to be free from.

“The FMA stresses that any detention or arrest must be conducted strictly within the law, with due process observed at every step and clear public information provided to maintain confidence.

“We urge the relevant authorities to confirm Mr Charters’ current status (detained/arrested/charged/released), the agency responsible, and the next procedural steps, including court processes where applicable.

“We are concerned with the potential threat to freedom of expression posed by the arrest, given Mr Charters’ outspoken posts and articles regarding FICAC and the Fiji Sports Council.”

Suva lawyer Richard Naidu also questioned the legality of the move.

"So on what legal basis could Charlie Charters be detained by FICAC? Mr Naidu asked.

"The FICAC Commissioner has the power to stop the departure of someone FICAC is investigating in respect of an offence to which the FICAC Act applies," he said.

"And I can imagine the current powers in FICAC are a bit cross that Charlie has been publishing embarrassing information about them. But FICAC can only prosecute its own people for unlawfully divulging its information (s.13G of the FICAC Act), not anyone merely receiving that information.

"So what is there for FICAC to investigate which allows Charlie’s detention?"

Charters

The 57-year-old sports marketing expert holds Fiji and United Kingdom citizenship. He arrived in Fiji on Sunday to renew his Fiji passport and was scheduled to fly to Sydney on flight FJ915 tonight.

Mr Charters has written extensively about alleged links between FICAC and the Fiji Sports Council, relying on publicly available documents and whistleblower testimony.

Recently, he circulated leaked documents on social media claiming FSC’s cash reserves had fallen from $2 million in March 2023 to $32,000 by February 2024. He alleged this was linked to a human resources restructure that doubled payroll costs without board approval.

The documents also alleged that FSC management signed a $20 million letter of intent with a New Zealand firm for artificial turf projects without board consent, and raised concerns about capital works in Sigatoka and the purchase of vehicles without a proper tender process.

Mr Charters has also reported on what he described as “family and friends” connections between FSC and FICAC, including the relationship between FSC chief executive Gilbert Vakalalabure and the Acting FICAC Commissioner, who are related by marriage.

Attempts to obtain comment from FICAC were unsuccessful.