News
Charters Challenges FICAC Charges in High Court
Posted by Media Team 19 May 2026
The defence counsel for Charlie Charters has filed an Application for a Permanent Stay of Criminal Proceedings in the Suva High Court today.
The matter was listed for First Call before Justice Pita Bulamainavalu.
Counsel for the applicant, Mr Seforan Fatiaki, informed the court that a Notice of Motion had been filed outlining several grounds to be argued in relation to the charges brought against Mr Charters by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Mr Charters has been charged with two counts of Aiding and Abetting, contrary to section 45 of the Crimes Act 2009 read together with section 13G (1) of the FICAC Act 2007.
Count 1 alleges that between 2 November 2025 and 14 December 2025, Mr Charters intentionally aided and abetted a person who was, at the material time, an officer of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in Suva, to commit an offence under section 13G (1) of the FICAC Act 2007.
The alleged offence relates to the publication of official information concerning the functions of the Commission without the Commissioner's written permission, by posting that information on his Facebook account, “Charlie Charters”.
Count 2 alleges that on 2 February 2026, Mr Charters intentionally aided and abetted a person who, at the material time, was an officer of the Commission in Suva, in committing an offence under section 13G (1) of the FICAC Act 2007 by publishing official information relating to the functions of the Commission without the Commissioner's written permission on the same Facebook account.
Mr Fatiaki informed the court that one of the grounds raised in the application concerns the validity of the appointment of FICAC Acting Commissioner Ms Lavi Rokoika.
According to Mr Fatiaki, the application also raises issues relating to the nature of Mr Charters’ arrest, detention, and subsequent charge by FICAC, alleging that the Commission’s exercise of prosecutorial powers was undertaken in bad faith.
Mr Fatiaki further alleged that FICAC officers had, on 3 occasions, offered to have Mr Charters identify the officer who divulged official FICAC information to him so that he could be released.
The application also raises the issue of insufficient evidence, arguing that the disclosures do not identify the FICAC officer from whom Mr Charters allegedly obtained the information.
Mr Fatiaki submitted that this breached Mr Charters’ freedom of expression and the protections afforded to whistle-blowers.
Mr Fatiaki further noted that the application alleges a conflict of interest and bias against the applicant, given that Mr Charters has written extensively on his social media platforms about FICAC Acting Commissioner Ms Rokoika.
Appearing for the respondent, Ms Rokoika informed the court that she would be able to file her affidavit in response by 25 May 2026.
The court also directed Mr Fatiaki to file the Applicant’s response affidavit by 8 June 2026.
Both parties are to file their written submissions by 17 June 2026.
The hearing has been scheduled for 19 June 2026.
The matter has been adjourned to 12 June 2026 for mention.
