Doctor Jalesi Nakarawa says he believes that the process leading to his suspension as Corrections Commissioner was fundamentally flawed, characterised by political interference and serious breaches of due process.
Appearing before the tribunal comprising Justices Daniel Goundar, Savenaca Banuve, and Dane Tuiqereqere, which is investigating allegations of misbehaviour against him, Dr Nakarawa agreed that his working relationship with the Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, had “irretrievably broken down”.
He explained that the breakdown arose precisely because he was implementing reforms mandated by the Cabinet — reforms that were necessary to restore the functionality of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS).
According to him, the deterioration in the relationship followed his intervention into irregular temporary appointments, his implementation of the Cabinet-approved Job Evaluation Exercise (JEE) reforms, and his decision to redirect unjustified budget allocations to address urgent operational failures.
He said because Mr Turaga openly opposed the reforms —and because complaints from officers resisting reform were being channelled directly to the minister — meaningful consultation under Section 130(8) of the Constitution became functionally impossible.
Dr Nakarawa recalled that on January 7, 2025, he received a letter from the minister directing him to proceed on extended leave pending an investigation.
He said the minister relied on Section 22(1) of the Corrections Service Act 2006, a provision intended for systemic inquiries and not for suspending a constitutional office holder.
The following day, he wrote to the minister disputing his authority under that provision and returned to duty to protect and uphold the independence of his constitutional office.
On March 24, he submitted a comprehensive written response to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) addressing all concerns raised, outlining the lawful exercise of his powers and providing supporting documentation.
Despite his co-operation, he said the minister separately recommended his suspension based on complaints that were never disclosed to him beforehand — an undisputed breach of natural justice.
On March 28, he was suspended by the President, acting on the advice of the COC.
Dr Nakarawa said a series of emails from Mr Turaga showed direct interference in matters constitutionally reserved to the Commissioner under Section 130(6). These emails included directions to process specific applications and to “accommodate” individuals seeking reinstatement — thereby undermining the merit-based OMRS recruitment system he was implementing.
