The former national manager Border, Customs for the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) and a businessman pleaded not guilty to bribery-related charges at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

Josefa Marawa and Abdul Shekeb appeared before Justice Vincent Perara. Shekeb pleaded not guilty to two counts of “Bribery of Public Servants by Persons Having Dealings with Public Bodies” as charged under Section 8(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Promulgation No.12 of 2007. Marawa pleaded not guilty to two counts of “Bribery” contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Promulgation No.12 of 2007.

It is alleged that Shekeb in April 2015, without lawful authority, in the course of having dealings with FRCA, offered a gift or a favour in the form of a vehicle to Marawa, a public servant employed by FRCA.

It is also alleged that in July 2015, Shekeb offered, without lawful authority, in his dealings with FRCA, a loan of $4000 to Marawa.

Marawa, who is charged with two counts of bribery, is alleged to have in 2015 accepted a gift or favour, in the form of a vehicle and $4000 without any lawful authority, whilst being employed as the Acting National Manager Border, Customs at FRCA on account of his performing any act in his capacity as Acting National Manager Border, Customs at the FRCA.

The matter has been adjourned to November 17, for mention for pre-trial conference.

Source: Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption

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