SENIOR police officer George Lagi has been convicted of bribery after the Suva Magistrate’s Court rejected claims that payments received from a businessman were simply tied to a personal friendship.
In his ruling yesterday, Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne found that FICAC established beyond reasonable doubt that Lagi accepted financial advantages from businessman Divindra Bhagat in connection with his official duties as a police officer.
Magistrate Somaratne ruled that Lagi had no lawful excuse or authority to take the money, highlighting that the evidence — including the relationship between the two men, the payments made, and their proximity to official police matters — proved the prosecution’s case.
Lagi’s defence had submitted that the payments were connected to a personal friendship and did not influence his performance on the job.
The court rejected that argument, concluding that Lagi was aware of his duties and the circumstances surrounding the payments.
The case was adjourned to October 8 for sentencing and mitigation submissions.
