FORMER Fiji Sports Council chief executive officer Gilbert Vakalalabure’s lawyer, Tevita Vakalalabure, told the High Court in Suva that the threshold for granting leave to seek judicial review had been met and the application could be determined on the papers.
However, Fiji Sports Council lawyer Ruth Garry sought to have the application argued at a hearing when the matter was called before Justice Vishwa Dutt Sharma yesterday.
The judge adjourned the matter to March 16, 2027, for mention.
The application, filed on July 29, challenges a board-led investigation into alleged mismanagement and unauthorised use of council funds, as well as a July 3, 2026 demand letter requiring Mr Vakalalabure to pay $196,750.
He is seeking to quash the investigation report and its findings, arguing the process was unlawful and procedurally unfair.
He is also seeking to restrain the council from distributing the report, enforcing the demand, or withholding his contractual and statutory entitlements pending the court’s determination.
The application states it does not seek to restrain any independent police or FICAC investigation.
