The Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday dismissed a no case to answer application filed by a senior police officer facing bribery charges.
Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne delivered the ruling in the case of George Lagi, who is charged with one count of bribery.
It is alleged that between October 1, 2012, and January 31, 2024, while employed as an officer with the Criminal Investigations Department, he accepted an advantage of $6580 from Divindra Bhagat in relation to the performance of his duties as a CID officer. Magistrate Somaratne found that FICAC had presented sufficient evidence upon which a properly directed tribunal of fact could convict if that evidence were accepted.
The court therefore found that a prima facie case had been established and emphasised that the ruling was not a finding of guilt and that the charge remains to be determined after the defence case has been heard.
The matter has been adjourned to June 24.
