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.
It is alleged that between March 1, 2017, and June 30, 2017, while serving as Regional Engineer Bulk at WAF, Ali accepted a benefit in the form of a Fiji Airways return ticket valued at $1,430.60 to Sydney, Australia. Sphynx Solutions Pte Limited provided Ali with this benefit on March 21, 2017, in exchange for actions performed in his role as a public servant.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou considered the arguments presented by both sides and ruled there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed against the accused. The defense counsel has requested additional time to gather further instructions from Ali to clarify their position for the next steps in the case.
The proceedings have been postponed until September 19 for further discussion.