Most fathers do everything they can to protect their sons from being caught up in any trouble they find themselves in but not our heroic “citizen journalist and publisher”, Charlie Charters.
Fresh from being charged with aiding and abetting an unnamed FICAC whistleblower, appearing a court as his case is heard and being bound by the rules of sub judice, Charlie Charters has left himself wide open to a charge of aiding and abetting his son, Jack, to commit contempt of court in Fiji.
It also leaves Jack Charters – who appears to be a university student in Britain – liable for prosecution if he is either already in Suva with his father or ever sets foot in the country sometime in the future.
In an astonishing posting on Jack Charters’ Facebook account, not his own, Charlie Charters doesn’t hide the fact that he is the author of a series of statements which are not only in contempt of his own case but that of the sidelined deputy prime minister, Manoa Kamikamica, who is facing charges of perjury – of giving a false statement to a public official.
For legal reasons, we can’t publish the full Facebook posting here but it is readily available on the Meta platform. And by any reckoning, it is a clear-cut instance of contempt because it covers issues that are currently before the courts to the extent of attempting to justify Charlie’s dealings with the FICAC whistleblower.
The series of statements of supposed fact all end with “Thank you whistleblower”, as if Charlie’s conduct has been perfectly acceptable and the eventual judgment against him is won even before the case is heard.
With such a flagrant breach of the rules that apply to everyone when matters are before the courts, it unfortunately leaves both father and son open to the full force of the law.
Poor Jack. Doubtless he doesn’t realise that the contempt laws in Fiji apply throughout the common law world and it is no defence for someone sitting in the UK – assuming that’s where he is – to take the view that those laws don’t apply because he is not in Fiji.
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That’s the extent of what we can legally publish here. But there is no doubt that Charlie Charters – and Jack – are flirting with danger when the media in Fiji is already giving prominence to a story in which a High Court Judge, Justice Usaia Ratuvili, has warned senior officers of the ODPP – John Rabuku and Laisani Tabuakoro – against making public statements that are in contempt of a trial over which he is presiding.
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So the laws of contempt are already in the news. Needless to say, FICAC is now reported to be investigating Jack/Charlie’s posting and we can assume that it will also be attracting the attention of the magistrate in Charlie’s case, Shageeth Somaratne.
It is all the more extraordinary when FICAC was already reportedly poised to lay fresh charges against Charlie Charters in addition to the aiding and abetting charge, which is said to have been merely a holding charge before others more serious are laid.
Where this will all go remains to be seen. But Charlie may well find himself in Fiji for some time. Because the more charges he accumulates, the less chance he will be able to obtain a bail variation to travel no matter how important it might be for his continuing employment.
Even his friends wonder why on earth Charlie would have risked traveling to Fiji when he is such a high profile potential target. But he undoubtedly believed that his high-level contacts, including the likes of Wylie Clarke and Richard Naidu, offered him a degree of protection.
Sadly that has proved not to be the case. He is a moth to a flame that now also threatens to consume his son. And all of it self-inflicted.
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UPDATE 0700 FIJI TIME:
At the same time, things are hotting up in the standoff between the Judicial Services Commission and the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, as the Head of State continues to defy the JSC’s advice to remove Lavi Rokoika as FICAC Acting Commissioner.
On its front page, today’s Fiji Times has Barbara Malimali‘s lawyer, Tanya Waqanika, openly threatening the President that he could “face a tribunal” if he doesn’t yield to the JSC. (Her full Facebook statement is below).
Oh really? We’d like to see that. There is no mechanism for that to occur. It is the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who has the power to suspend the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, and put him before a tribunal of three judges to try him for misbheaviour. Temo can’t do the same to the President and Tanya Waqanika knows it. Or should. And so should the Fiji Times to even float such a prospect. But then it is under the spell of Charlie’s mate, Richard Naidu, who is the paper’s legal gatekeeper and shapes its coverage.
There’s a dig at Richard Naidu’s influence over the Fiji Times in a statement from Mahendra Chaudhry‘s Labour Party referring to a “lawyers’ clique” manipulating the media.
It doesn’t name Mr “I have the Means” but the reference is unmistakable. But, of course, Naidu’s manipulation of the nation’s traditional newspaper of record has been happening for a very long time.
The Fiji Times story to which the Labour Party posting refers:
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Tanya Waqanika’s extraordinary statement that is the basis of today’s Fiji Times front page:
“UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW!!
Kudos to Rt Aca Rayawa and his post which I have posted below. This is exactly what CJ did when Pulewai did a failed coup at FICAC and unlawfully arrested and detained Barbara Malimali. CJ issued a directive that all Court registries around the country not accept any charges filed by FICAC under Pulewai’s directive. Having Rokoika continue as Head of FICAC on our taxpayers expense is an attack on the Rule of Law- this tantamounts to an abuse of office & JSC needs to make a stand on the Rule of Law.
Well- all those that partook in that failed coup have all been removed from FICAC. Such is karma.
President’s Ceremonial Role
As per the online article posted below, the President is seeking advise on the JSC recommendations. The provision in the Constitution is clear- the President’s role is ceremonial and he just endorses the recommendations from JSC.
Severance Pay
I read on Mai TV online news that the President is now seeking a severance pay for Lavi Rokoika. How can the severance pay be negotiated when Rokoika’s appointment did not follow legal and constitutional process. For the President to even pitch this to JSC – this is unlawful!! How can we as taxpayers pay for someone whose appointment is being legally challenged.
To add insult- the President negotiates Rokoika’s severance and yet my client has not received her pay from the date her appointment was illegally revoked by the President himself on the advise of the PM.
Revocation of Malimali’s appointment
It is common knowledge that the VAKALALABURE’s are related to the PM & President. I have been reading the online news where PM is saying that “JSC is to deal with Rokoika & he has no business on FICAC”. Thank goodness that PM is finally listening to wise legal counsel- we had to get a court ruling to remind him of his rule.
Our nation has spent an approx $4m and counting on this COI, JR and the continued illegal salary of Rokoika (again funded by taxpayers).
Malimali was suspended on 29/05/25. I met someone on the early morning of 29/05/25 and this person told me that my client was going to be removed. I questioned on the reliability of the information- it was confirmed that Tevita Vakalalabure, Lavi Rokoika, Gilbert Vakalalabure all at the President’s house (with the President that very morning). It was also confirmed that the President gave the directive on the phone to the PM that he was going to revoke Malimali & appoint Rokoika. I communicated immediately to some Govt Ministers and a few others and told them of my briefing. A Govt Minister calls me back and says that JSC were not aware and nor were they informed of any moves to remove Malimali.
I called my client (she had just arrived from overseas travel) and told her to standby as she was going to be fired. She responded as well that JSC had not informed her of anything and the process for her removal is via a tribunal.
Two hours later – a group of close friends of Malimali received a messaged on the same day that Rokoika had walked in with another officer from the President’s office with her letter of suspension (2 hours later). Rokoika plays dumb and says that she was not aware of anything….there is always an unseen witness to every meeting.
We have had coups because the coupsters say that the democratically elected Govt is corrupt. The last coup we had – resulted in 16 years of the rule to FFP. I will never ever allow Fiji to go back to lawlessness as it created instability and brings forth frictions, especially amongst us the itaukeis. Our silence is our acquiescence. The corruption within FICAC & FSC is open to everyone in our nation and it’s shameful that our leaders continue to support such illegality- Shame on you all!!!
If the President continues on the standoff with the JSC- there are provisions in the Constitution for him to be referred to a a tribunal. I honor his position and his role but I only fear God.
We must vote those that uphold the Rule of Law in the next GE. We deserve better for our nation.“
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The article to which Tania Waqanika refers – the extraordinary proposition that the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, should do what he did at FICAC on September 5, 2024, and refuse to accept any new charges filed by FICAC.
The notion is eviscerated by Victor Lal in another hard-hitting posting at Fijileaks.
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The public and legal debate is mounting alright. But so is scrutiny of the motives guiding the main players.
A tip from Grubsheet: Readers must always be alert to who is saying what and how they benefit from expressing such opinions. As in the old line we often use here: “Well they would say that, wouldn’t they?”
Perhaps Charlie’s keen to experience Fijian prison life. The thrill of everyday life is obviously not enough for him.
I recall a TV series called “Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons” done by another British bloke so my guess is Charlie is working with the world’s best directors to produce an episode featuring Fijian prisons.
I wish I was still a university student!
Our primary and secondary school teachers for English taught us, among others, the difference between “advise” and “advice”. Even, as a high flying lawyer, Ms Waqanika (who, like her client, has a Vulagi first name) can’t still figure that out.
Isa, those lawyers from the immediate post-independence period were superb with spoken, written and reading English. They are missed.
Yes, time was when students in Fiji”s schools had better English expression skills than many of their counterparts in Oz and NZ. Sadly not any longer.
Many prominent lawyers and others in Fiji do not know the meaning, the difference and the pronounciation of “prize” and “price” or “his” and “he is”.
Not a wise decision Charlie boy. And btw where is Peter Wise.
Richard ” I have the means” Naidu providing unsolicited advice to the President?
Leung as well? When he was AG, he had refused to provide legal advice and now he is doing it?
What the f is going on with lawyers in Fiji. One using the law Society to show support to a friend. The same Society that hasn’t raised any issues with people being detained for more than 48 hours over weekends.
Honestly like the what the f is happening?
What is happening is that all the crooks and thieves are getting together and licking each others arses. It is called self-interest and self-preservation.
But once the sh*t hits the fan it will be everyone for one’s self.
Not long to wait for the sh*t to hit the fan simply because there is no honour amongst thieves.
Why was Rayawa removed as AG – anyone?
To my simple mind he is just another 2-faced rewan – blowing in the wind. blowing hot air to be precise.
Ha ha indeed …in Fiji we refer to this as the RB factor.
RB = Rewa Bullshit.
The politically ambitious Secretary of the PAP comes immediately to mind here.
Proposing Mr Richard Naidu as the new AG.
At least better than the rest.
Yes, Richard, anything you say.
Let’s be fair, GD.
If nothing, Mr. 7-years tax holiday has rhe means to be AG. Karia motar lal batti can his very able and verbose deputy ag , to charge anyone who dares even glance a look at his karia face.