The Magistrates Court has determined that Mohammed Shafraaz Ali, a former senior engineer at the Water Authority of Fiji, must answer to charges related to corruption. 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 Regional Engineer Bulk at the Water Authority, Ali accepted a benefit in the form of a $1,430.60 return air ticket to Sydney, Australia, supplied by Sphynx Solutions Pte Limited on March 21, 2017, in connection with his duties as a public servant.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou considered arguments from both sides before concluding that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. The defense attorney requested additional time to gather further instructions from Ali to clarify the next steps. The hearing has been scheduled for September 19 for further discussions.