The Fiji police have taken a chiefly claimant into custody amid a dispute over who should be installed as the Vunivalu of Bau.
Ratu Epenisa Cakobau escorted by Police and armed military personnel. Photo: Fiji Village
A police team was sent to the island of Bau early this morning after information was received that a ceremony was going ahead to install Ratu Epenisa Cakobau.
The high-ranking Vunivalu title has been vacant since 1989 with several contenders for the role.
The Native Land Commission instructed the police to stop the ceremony because there was still a dispute over who should take the title.
The commission chairman Ratu Isireli Vananalagi confirmed receiving a letter from Ratu Epenisa's elder brother Ratu Joji Kadavulevu Cakobau.
He said Ratu Epenisa's selection had breached protocol.
He said the Commssion had had a meeting with the vying clans on the island on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately no consensus or agreement was reached," he told media yesterday.
Photo: Fiji Village
"A split is evident within the chiefly households of the Tui Kaba clan," he said.
"Protocol was breached in the selection of the proposed Ratu Epenisa Cakobau."
He said he was using the commission's powers under the i-Taukei Lands Act 1905 to stop Ratu Epenisa's installation and resolve the dispute.