Suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa is not taking his marching orders lying down.
He claims due process was not followed by the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC), adding he was suspended without any specific allegation of misbehavior, which left him without a definite claim to respond to.
In a media statement released yesterday, he said his legal counsel had addressed his concerns to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and he had also formally submitted his responses to the allegation to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) Secretariat.
“While I respect the decision of the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC), I am duty-bound to safeguard the integrity and independence of the Office of the Commissioner of Corrections,” Mr Nakarawa said.
“In the days leading up to the COC meeting, I endured an unprecedented and orchestrated attack on social media — personal, relentless, and defamatory in nature.
“Despite this, I maintained my professional standards and refrained from engaging in baseless, gutter-level vilifications founded on misinformation.”
He said his two points of contention includes the alleged role of Justice Minister Siromi Turaga in his suspension process and with the lack of due process in the suspension decision.
“Under these circumstances, I firmly believe that taking appropriate legal steps is necessary to uphold the independence of the Office of the Commissioner of Corrections, as well as the principles of justice and the rule of law.
“Given the relentless public attacks over the past few weeks, it is important that the people of Fiji are informed of these critical issues.”
Mr Nakarawa stressed that he remain committed to due process and to ensuring that the values of fairness, transparency, and constitutional integrity were upheld.
Questions sent to COC Secretary Ropate Greene remained unanswered when this story went to press.
