Samuela Matakibau

Samuela Matakibau is a Fijian police officer, who holds the position of Assistant Police Commissioner Operations.

On 28 January 2007, Matakibau was arrested by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces for alleged firearms offences. [http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2007/01/29/Fijilive14.html] This followed a Military raid on his Suva home, [http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2007/01/29/Fijilive11.html] which allegedly uncovered illegal firearms. He was released, pending further investigations. Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti said that illegal possession of weapons was only one of a number of misbehaviours for which Matakibau had been under investigation for some time. He was taken back into custody on 30 January. [http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_35519.shtml]

The Military said on 31 January that it was investigating evidence that Matakibau had stolen the weapons from the armoury of the Police Tactical Response Unit. [http://www.fijitv.com.fj/index.cfm?go=tv.resources&cmd=forumview&cbegin=0&uid=fijionenews&cid=11904] Military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni said that Matakibau was responsible for his own detention, as he had earlier deceived the Military by denying that he was in possession of any weapons. [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=56218] He was released on 1 February, [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=56283] but remained on indefinite leave. [http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_35624.shtml]