The Magistrates Court has determined that Mohammed Shafraaz Ali, a former senior engineer at the Water Authority of Fiji, must face charges related to corruption. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has brought forward one count of bribery against him. It is alleged that between March 1, 2017, and June 30, 2017, while serving as the Regional Engineer Bulk at WAF, Ali accepted a benefit in the form of a return air ticket worth $1430.60 from Fiji Airways to Sydney, Australia.
The ticket was provided to Ali by Sphynx Solutions Pte Limited on March 21, 2017, for acts performed while he was a public servant. Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou, after considering arguments from both sides, ruled that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed against Ali. The defense attorney has requested additional time to gather further instructions from Ali to clarify the next steps in the proceedings. The court has adjourned the matter until September 19 for further mention.