Justice Minister Siromi Turaga told the tribunal examining he conduct of suspended Fiji Corrections Service commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa that repeated attempts to obtain a response from him were unsuccessful.
Mr Turaga said the lack of engagement felt like a challenge to his authority and an act of disrespect.
He told the tribunal that one such incident occurred when Dr Nakarawa travelled to Indonesia without informing him, but instead informed the Constitutional Offices Commission when he should have been advised first.
Mr Turaga said he then sent a letter to the Prime Minister in December 2024 in response to a request for updates on issues within the Fiji Corrections Service and complaints against Dr Nakarawa.
He recalled a wave of complaints continuing to come in even after the letter was sent, and as such, he exercised his powers in suspending Dr Nakarawa, who, however, resumed work the following day.
He said he did not initiate a formal inquiry at that time because Dr Nakarawa remained in office, which caused fear among other officers who were reluctant to speak out.
In terms of the FICAC clearance of Dr Nakarawa’s wife, Mr Turaga acknowledged that FICAC had cleared her but told the tribunal that other complaints had not been referred to FICAC.
He testified that the FCS was in turmoil at the time, with confidential information being leaked publicly.
Mr Turaga yesterday maintained he acted in good faith and within his constitutional authority when communicating with the Prime Minister.
