Mohammed Shafraaz Ali, a former senior engineer at the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), has been sentenced to imprisonment and fined following his conviction for bribery. On March 21, 2025, Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou sentenced him to 18 months in prison, with a non-parole period of 12 months. Additionally, Ali received a fine of $3,000, which he must pay by June 20, 2025, or he will face an extended sentence of 300 days in prison.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred between March 1 and June 30, 2017, when Ali accepted a bribe in the form of a return air ticket to Sydney, Australia, valued at $1,430.60. This bribe was provided by Sphynx Solutions Pte Limited, a company from which Ali had solicited various requests for equipment needed for different sites managed by WAF, including items such as repair clamps, valves, and joints.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) prosecuted Ali’s case, which emphasized the importance of public integrity and accountability. Upon delivering the court’s decision, Magistrate Savou highlighted the significance of upholding ethical standards within public office.
Ali now has a period of 28 days to appeal the conviction or the sentence.
This case highlights Fiji’s ongoing commitment to combating corruption and fostering ethical conduct among public officials. The judiciary’s firm approach aims to bolster public trust and demonstrate that corrupt practices will face appropriate consequences, paving the way toward improved governance and accountability in the region.
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