Lomu’s ‘niece’ in jail romance with guard
All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu’s ‘niece’ has been caught in a romantic relationship with a prison guard as she serves her sentence for her role in the Ninety Mile Beach meth haul.
Selaima Fakaosilea – a close relative of Jonah Lomu, who called the rugby legend ‘‘uncle’’ – was convicted in June 2019 of importing meth and participating in an organised criminal group.
Fakaosilea was arrested for participating in what was, at the time, the country’s largest meth bust, in which 501 kilograms of the class A drug landed at Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North in June 2016.
The woman, who was jailed for 12 years and six months in 2019, got into the tryst while imprisoned at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility in Wiri.
Fakaosilea now faces fresh misconduct charges after prison authorities found a cellphone in her cell.
Prison authorities were able to use the cellphone to reveal that Fakaosilea was engaging in a romantic relationship with the guard who had smuggled the items in for her.
Authorities also found a
charger and headphones in her belongings.
Police wouldn’t comment further yesterday on their ongoing investigation into the relationship or Fakaosilea.
Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility prison director Tayla Yandall confirmed prison authorities received information on the relationship and searched a prisoner’s cell on October 12.
‘‘Staff immediately seized the items and the prisoner was placed on misconduct charges.
‘‘Subsequent to this search, a meeting was scheduled with a staff member to advise them that an employment investigation was being initiated,’’ she said.
But the guard cut his losses and resigned after the allegations were put to him on October 15.
Yandall said the prison had increased its targeted searches and reinforced to staff that this sort of behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated.
‘‘I also arranged a visit from the Corrections integrity team to meet with staff and discuss their role and the support they offer,’’ Yandall said. ‘‘We will not tolerate this type of behaviour in our prisons and expect a high standard of conduct from all employees.
‘‘The nature of our work means we must act beyond reproach at all times.’’