THE Suva Magistrate’s Court has dismissed a bail application pending sentence for former iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) senior research officer Josaia Waqairatu.
Waqairatu was convicted earlier this month of two counts of bribery after the court found he solicited a $450 advantage between September 1 and December 31, 2019, as an inducement for performing his duties as a public servant.
Dismissing the application, Magistrate Joseph Daurewa highlighted that Waqairatu had previously failed to attend court on October 28, 2022 – an absence Waqairatu attributed to an honest mistake regarding hearing dates.
Magistrate Daurewa ruled that the court would not take the risk of granting bail, citing the necessity of ensuring Waqairatu’s attendance.
Magistrate Daurewa held that granting bail was not in the interests of justice.
Waqairatu remains in custody and will be sentenced on Friday.
