The Magistrates Court in Suva has sentenced Mohammed Shafraaz Ali, a former senior engineer at the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), to 18 months in prison after he was convicted of bribery. He accepted a bribe in the form of a round-trip air ticket to Sydney, Australia, worth $1,430.60, from Sphynx Solutions Pte Limited. The incident occurred between March 1 and June 30, 2017, while he was serving as the Regional Engineer Bulk at WAF.
During his tenure, Ali requested various supplies for water systems, including repair clamps and valves, which were subsequently procured through Sphynx Solutions. The advantage he received was deemed to be in return for actions he performed in his capacity as a public servant. In addition to the prison sentence, he has been fined $3,000, which must be paid by June 20, 2025. If he fails to pay this fine, an additional 300 days will be added to his sentence.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou has set a non-parole period of twelve months and granted Ali 28 days to lodge an appeal against his conviction or sentence. This case underscores Fiji’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption in public service, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethical standards and accountability among officials.
This decisive court ruling reinforces a hopeful trend toward increasing integrity within Fiji’s governance, sending a strong message against corrupt practices. As public trust in official channels is paramount, such actions bolster the legal system’s role in promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
Overall, developments in this case reflect a growing commitment to upholding justice and ethical conduct in government operations, which can have positive implications for Fiji’s fight against corruption.
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