A GOVERNMENT-issued laptop that was taken overseas by a staff member from the Office of the Prime Minister has been recovered, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed.
The staff member, who allegedly eloped with a member of Mr Rabuka’s security detail, had taken the device overseas and was initially expected to return.
Speaking to The Fiji Times, Mr Rabuka said the staff had intended to return but the turn of events prompted otherwise.
“There was a laptop, and as far as I’m concerned, the PA had gone intending to come back,” Mr Rabuka said.
“So, she took her laptop with her, because the emails that come from my appointments go straight into her email address, and then she posts those on my daily program.”
However, when it became apparent that she would not return, efforts were made by officials in the Office of the Prime Minister to recover the device.
“When it transpired that they had eloped, whether that is the correct word or not, or they had decided to stay in Australia and not come back, someone from the office asked her to send the laptop to the hotel where we stayed, and it was left at the reception for us to bring back,” Mr Rabuka said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also confirmed that he had received a soft copy of the Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali.
He said hard copies of the report had only been issued to four individuals — Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai, acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika and Solicitor-General Ropate Green.
