ALLEGATIONS of misconduct against suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa intensified with new testimonies presented during a tribunal hearing. On the stand, four witnesses detailed incidents that raised significant concerns about governance within the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS). A particularly striking allegation involved an officer allegedly terminated for testing positive for methamphetamine, despite the lab results indicating the presence of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a different substance less severe than methamphetamine.
Witness Adrian Bukavulo recounted how on February 4, he and other officers were instructed to undergo drug testing conducted by Dr. Nakarawa’s wife. After his termination, which cited a positive methamphetamine result, Bukavulo sought clarification and learned through laboratory technician Shalvin Prakash that his test actually indicated MDMA, a compound sometimes found in pain medications. Bukavulo offered documentation verifying that he had been prescribed painkillers due to a severe toothache during the testing period. However, Dr. Nakarawa dismissed his appeal for reconsideration, leading to significant personal and financial distress for Bukavulo and his family.
Prakash confirmed in court that urine tests can yield positive results for drugs up to 72 hours after use, and noted that false positives can arise due to certain prescription medications. He also revealed that his laboratory had issued a caution notice regarding the interpretation of such results, emphasizing that medical professionals should assess drug tests for accurate diagnosis.
Also testifying at the hearing was Apolosa Vere, FCS’s Director of Planning and Development, who stated that he discovered Dr. Nakarawa’s stepson had been allowed to continue training despite failing the entry level requirements for recruits. This incident has raised additional questions about nepotism and adherence to recruitment protocols within the FCS, alongside ongoing testing allegations.
The tribunal will further investigate claims regarding misuse of the FCS Welfare and Sports Fund, intended for legitimate program support rather than personal use. These inquiries form part of a broader examination of governance protocols within the FCS, which have been brought to light amid numerous allegations against Dr. Nakarawa since his suspension by the Constitutional Offices Commission on March 29.
As the hearings continue, observers are calling attention to the importance of transparency and accountability in public service, hoping that the proceedings will result in necessary reforms that reinforce integrity in the Fiji Corrections Service and restore public trust. Throughout this process, the tribunal aims to balance fact-finding with the due process rights of those involved, which is critical for maintaining confidence in the integrity of Fiji’s governmental institutions.
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