Drug test results withheld, Batiratu tells tribunal

The drug test results of five Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) officers who tested positive for methamphetamine in February this year have yet to be disclosed.

FCS Assistant Commissioner for Administration, Rusiate Batiratu, revealed this yesterday in the tribunal hearing for suspended FCS Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa.

Mr Nakarawa is accused of making unlawful appointments and sanctioning salaries and funds during his tenure, continued into the evening.

Mr Batiratu gave evidence before Justice Daniel Goundar, Court of Appeal Judge Savenaca Banuve, and Justice Dane Tuiqereqere.

He shared about the conduct of Mr Nakarawa’s wife, Vakaloloma Nakarawa, as a nurse practitioner.

During the hearing, Mr Batiratu revealed that several officers from Nasinu Corrections underwent a random drug test, resulting in five positive cases for methamphetamine. He argued that the tests were conducted without the officers’ consent, violating their constitutional rights.

Among those tested was officer Adriano Bukavulo, who approached Mr Batiratu claiming his result should be rechecked after testing positive for NDMA. Although NDMA is an illicit substance, Bukavulo argued the result may have been influenced by his use of Brufen Panadol to treat a painful, swollen tooth.

He said he raised the issue with Mrs Nakarawa, who dismissed his concerns, insisting the result indicated methamphetamine. Mr Batiratu testified that a lab technician had advised Bukavulo to consult a doctor for further interpretation, as the Brufen explanation was a possibility.

Mr Batiratu stated that the test results were never shown to the officers and were instead forwarded directly to Mr Nakarawa. He added that Mrs Nakarawa had promised to email the results to the officers, but they have yet to receive them.

He also testified that although it had been 120 years since FCS wives last held a volleyball tournament, it was inappropriate for funds to be withdrawn from the Welfare and Support Fund to support the event.

He maintained that under the Finance Instructions 2010, government assets are to be used strictly for official activities, and the NHQ wives were not part of such activities.

Mr Batiratu was firm in his response to Mr Nakarawa’s lawyer, Simione Valenitabua, stating that the Commissioner’s birthday was considered an official event.

The trial continues this afternoon.