In April 2002, the courts dismissed a challenge from a rival claimant, Ratu Epeli Ganilau.
Perhaps the best-known Tui Cakau in modern times was Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, who held the title from 1988 to 1993.
The present Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, led a political party, the Conservative Alliance (CAMV) and was a Minister in the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase from 2000 to 2005, when he was convicted of involvement in the coup d'état that deposed the elected government in 2000.
The CAMV merged with Prime Minister Qarase's Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) ahead of the 2006 elections, and Lalabalavu remained in both Parliament and the Cabinet until a military coup deposed the government on 5 December 2006.
He returned to Parliament at the 2014 elections as a candidate of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SDLP), the successor to the SDL.