Police will not comment on Ratu Epenisa's complaint while RFMF says they were carrying out their constitutional responsibility

Police are not making any comments on Bau chief, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau lodging a complaint against the Police and the Military for going to Bau and taking him and others for questioning on June 8th.

Ratu Epenisa filed the complaint at Nausori Police Station on Monday. 

Ratu Epenisa is complaining that the Police and RFMF violated customary laws and abused their power under the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous People.

Ratu Epenisa claims that Police and the Military abused their powers by arresting him, his herald Ratu Jack Komaitai and a representative of the Gonesau clan, Dr Ratu Joji Malani.

Police took action after they received reports that Ratu Epenisa would be installed as the Vunivalu on June 8th although the Native Lands Commission had declared on June 7th that the protocol was breached in the selection of Ratu Epenisa as the Vunivalu.

NLC Commissioner Ratu Vananalagi Vesikula confirmed on the afternoon of June 7th that he had instructed the Police Commissioner to stop Ratu Epenisa Cakobau’s installation on the next day.

RFMF Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Jone Kalouniwai says the Military assisted the Police as stated in the constitution.

The constitution states that it shall be the overall responsibility of the RFMF to ensure at all times the security, defence and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians.

Vesikula has stated to Fijivillage that the Vunivalu title like any other chiefly title in Fiji will only be decided by the Vanua and not the NLC.

He had said on June 7th that the NLC had to intervene in the installation of the Vunivalu title as no consensus or agreement was reached, and they had received a letter disputing the installation of Ratu Epenisa Cakobau from his elder brother, Ratu Joji Kadavulevu Cakobau.

Vesikula said that he had also considered that a split was evident within the chiefly household of the Tui Kaba clan, protocol was breached in the selection of the proposed candidate Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, and the Turaga Roko Tui Bau, Ratu Timoci Daniel has withdrawn from performing his duties in the installation process.

Police Commissioner Qiliho had earlier said that the investigation process regarding the questioning of Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and others is still underway.

Qiliho said that upon the completion of the investigation, the file will then be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where a decision on the charges if any will be made.

The title of Vunivalu of Bau has been vacant since 1989.