A tribunal has been appointed to probe allegations of misconduct against Dr Jalesi Nakarawa, the suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, the Constitutional Offices Commission (for short COC) announced. The appointment comes under Section 137(3)(a)(i) of the Constitution to conduct a formal inquiry into the allegations.
Key details released by the COC show that the tribunal was officially gazetted on July 18, 2025. It is chaired by Justice Daniel Goundar, with two other justices, Justice Savenaca Banuve and Justice Dane Tuiqereqere, serving as members. Dr Nakarawa has been informed of the tribunal’s appointment and its composition. A pre-hearing conference is scheduled with Dr Nakarawa for August 25, 2025.
One of the complaints against Dr Nakarawa centers on the termination of a senior medical officer (SMO), after which Dr Nakarawa’s wife was appointed to the role in an acting capacity. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who chairs the COC, has previously confirmed that investigations into Dr Nakarawa and the acting Commissioner Sevuloni Naucukidi were in the preliminary stages. Rabuka described the tribunal as a mechanism to assess the information, hear both sides, and make recommendations to the COC for a final decision. The process is described as still in an early fact-finding and assessment stage, with no timeline given for when the tribunal will conclude its work or when the COC will issue a final determination.
Dr Nakarawa remains under investigation for alleged misconduct, while the acting Commissioner, Sevuloni Naucukidi, faces scrutiny in related reviews. The developments reflect ongoing discussions within Fiji’s leadership about governance, accountability, and the integrity of the corrections service.
Context and implications
– The tribunal’s formation signals the government’s commitment to due process and independent review in handling serious allegations against a high-ranking public official.
– The investigation and tribunal process are part of broader actions within the Fiji Corrections Service aimed at addressing governance concerns and reinforcing public trust.
– No new facts beyond the proceedings themselves are stated in this report, but observers note that such inquiries are often accompanied by parallel reforms and reviews within the agency.
What to watch
– The outcomes and recommendations the tribunal presents to the COC, and whether they lead to further actions, including any final determinations about Dr Nakarawa’s role.
– How the acting leadership, Sevuloni Naucukidi, continues to guide the Fiji Corrections Service during the inquiry.
– Any ensuing governance reforms within the Corrections Service that could emerge from the investigation and tribunal process.
In brief, the appointment of a formal tribunal marks a critical step in addressing the serious governance and conduct questions surrounding Fiji’s corrections leadership, with the aim of strengthening accountability and public trust in the system. The process remains in its early stages, and the next developments will shape the path forward for the agency and its leadership.
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