The Magistrates Court has determined that Mohammed Shafraaz Ali, a former senior engineer at the Water Authority of Fiji, must answer to corruption-related charges. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has charged him with one count of bribery.
The allegations state that between March 1, 2017, and June 30, 2017, while serving as the Regional Engineer Bulk at WAF, Ali accepted an advantage in the form of a Fiji Airways return air ticket to Sydney worth $1,430.60. Sphynx Solutions Pte Limited provided Ali with this ticket on March 21, 2017, as payment for actions conducted in his role as a public servant.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou reviewed submissions from both sides and ruled that there is sufficient grounds for the case to proceed against Ali. The defense team requested additional time to gather further instructions from the defendant to clarify their next steps in the case. The hearing has been scheduled for mention on September 19.