Citizen journalist Charlie Charters, recently released on bail, has raised serious accusations concerning his treatment during detention by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Salesi Temo and the Judicial Services Commission, Charters expresses concerns about what he refers to as the “rogue” behavior of Acting Commissioner Lavi Rokoika and the unlawful extension of her position.
Charters was detained at Nadi Airport on February 21 under what he claims was an unjust directive from FICAC, allegedly facilitated by the Immigration Department. He states that no valid Stop Order was in place at that time, and he was forced to wait hours to receive such an order, during which he faced pressure to divulge confidential information regarding FICAC operations to secure permission to board his flight. Charters characterizes this experience as an abuse of power, intended to coerce him into revealing information rather than fostering genuine investigations.
His detention reportedly lasted 48 hours at FICAC House, extending until his court appearance on February 23. Charters alleges that this process was plagued by interruptions and unjustifiable delays, raising questions about the rationale for holding him over the weekend without adequate cause.
Facing charges related to allegedly aiding an unnamed FICAC officer in the improper dissemination of official information, the defense has labeled the case lacking in integrity, highlighting that the alleged co-offender has not been identified.
Following his release, Charters claims that his wife, Vanessa, has experienced an alarming number of hacking attempts targeting her Apple account, which he argues began almost immediately after his detention. He has included screenshots of these breaches in his correspondence with the authorities.
Charters criticizes the Judicial Services Commission for its inaction regarding the leadership issues at FICAC, calling for urgent measures to rectify what he describes as a “legally unsafe environment” created by the Commission’s ongoing temporary arrangements.
As of now, neither FICAC, Acting Commissioner Rokoika, nor the Judicial Services Commission has issued an official response to Charters’ allegations. FBC News has similarly sought comments from police but has yet to hear back.
These allegations draw attention to significant concerns surrounding governance and legal practices within Fiji’s institutions, emphasizing the need for transparent investigations and accountability. It is hoped that this situation may prompt scrutiny and reforms within the commission that protect citizens’ rights while enhancing public trust.