Is justice being served, or is it a case of 'family first' when it comes to serious allegations at the Fiji Sports Council? The integrity of Fiji's anti-corruption body, FICAC, is under intense scrutiny as a major complaint against senior executives at the Fiji Sports Council appears to have been handled under a cloud of potential conflict of interest. The silence from FICAC on the specifics of their investigation is deafening, leaving many to question the fairness and independence of the entire process.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika, is reportedly the sister-in-law of the Fiji Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure. This familial connection has raised serious eyebrows, especially after Vakalalabure was recently cleared by FICAC. Could this close relationship have influenced the outcome? It's a question many are asking, and FICAC's lack of transparency isn't helping to quell these concerns.
Tanya Waqanika, the lawyer for the dismissed FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, has been vocal about the situation, stating, "Only in Fiji this nonsense is openly entertained and condoned where an institution headed by a close family member clears another and everyone including the Minister of Youth and Sports says it’s 'all good'." This sentiment highlights a deep-seated concern about accountability and the perception of impartiality when powerful institutions are involved.
Waqanika further revealed that she questioned a Fiji Sports Council board member about whether all board members had registered their concerns regarding the "conflict of interest" after the clearance. The implication is that even within the Sports Council, there might have been unease about the process.
And this is the part most people miss... Waqanika believes the complaint should have been escalated to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and Rokoika should have recused herself from the matter entirely. The original complaint, filed on March 31st, 2025, was initially sent to the then FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali. The allegations were substantial, painting a picture of alleged financial impropriety and abuse of power.
What were these serious allegations? They included:
- Misuse of a Fiji Airways Contra Agreement: A partnership meant strictly for official Council business was allegedly used for personal gain.
- Unauthorized Travel: Family members of executives reportedly benefited from unauthorized travel at the Council's expense.
- Misallocation of Resources: A Minister’s spouse was allegedly accommodated on a business-class ticket, displacing a Team Manager who was scheduled to travel.
- Suppression of Concerns: When a former employee raised objections both verbally and in writing, Vakalalabure allegedly dismissed the matter, instructing the employee to "drop the issue" even after a belated reimbursement was offered.
The former employee didn't just point fingers; they formally requested a comprehensive forensic audit of all financial transactions, an external review of HR disciplinary processes to address alleged bias, legal scrutiny of unauthorized contracts, and the immediate suspension of implicated officers to prevent evidence tampering or interference. The former staff member emphasized that the integrity and public trust in the Fiji Sports Council were at stake.
FICAC did execute a search warrant at the Fiji Sports Council Headquarters on May 8th, 2025, confirming they obtained documents as part of a preliminary investigation. Vakalalabure acknowledged this, stating it followed a complaint from a former employee whose employment was terminated, and assured the public of the Council's commitment to transparency and integrity.
However, the timeline of events adds to the controversy. Barbara Malimali was dismissed as Acting FICAC Commissioner on June 2nd, 2025. This raises questions about whether her dismissal was related to her handling of this complaint or other matters.
But the questions don't stop there. We also need to ask if FICAC is investigating the Fiji Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure, and the former Permanent Secretary for Forests, Atelaite Rokosuka, in relation to a controversial wind turbine project plan. Rokosuka was found guilty and publicly reprimanded by the Public Service Disciplinary Tribunal, and Public Service Commission Chairman Luke Rokovada had previously highlighted Vakalalabure's involvement in the failed project.
To date, there has been no response from FICAC on these critical issues.
What do you think? Is the current situation a sign of systemic issues within Fiji's institutions, or is this an isolated incident? Should FICAC's processes be more transparent, especially when familial relationships are involved? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!
