President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has officially terminated the contract of Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, following serious allegations of misconduct. The decision follows a thorough investigation by the Constitutional Offices Commission, which received multiple complaints about Dr. Nakarawa’s conduct in early 2025.
Among the allegations were claims of nepotism, with concerns raised about the recruitment of Dr. Nakarawa’s family members, as well as abuse of office and improper financial practices. The commission convened a Tribunal in April 2025 to examine these complaints, consisting of three High Court Judges who conducted a comprehensive inquiry, including testimonies from over 40 witnesses and the review of numerous documents.
Dr. Nakarawa was given an opportunity to defend himself against these allegations with the assistance of legal counsel. The investigation revealed that he had tailored a job position specifically for his wife, bypassing established hiring procedures and ignoring medical recommendations contrary to directives from the Minister for Justice and Cabinet regarding staff positions.
Further complaints indicated that Dr. Nakarawa had mistreated staff, including unfair demotions and terminations without appropriate notice or opportunities for response. Additionally, allegations surfaced regarding the misuse of office funds for personal purposes.
The Tribunal concluded that both the nepotism and abuse of office allegations were substantiated, reflecting poorly on Dr. Nakarawa’s leadership and undermining public trust in the Fiji Corrections Service. Subsequently, they recommended his removal from the position, a recommendation that the President upheld, leading to his termination on February 26, 2026.
In the wake of this development, the Fiji Corrections Service now faces a leadership vacancy, with Auta Moceisuva stepping in as Acting Commissioner. This transitional phase presents an opportunity for the Corrections Service to restore public confidence and improve operational integrity moving forward.