A businessman who is charged with bribery along with two Police officers have asked the Suva Magistrates Court for more time to file their submissions.

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption charged businessman Bharat Jogia, and former Corporal Samuela Dakuitoga, and former assistant superintendent of Police Ifereimi Savou, for bribery-related offences in 2015.

Jogia’s lawyer Krishneel Gosai has sought for seven days to file submissions, which are their objections to the admissibility of tape recordings being used as evidence.

Dakuitoga and Savou’s lawyer, Mohammed Yunus, told the court that he has filed his submissions, in which he is objecting whether FICAC can charge Police officers.

Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne has granted Mr Gosai seven days to file his submissions.

Jogia is charged with a count of bribery, Savou is charged with a count of abuse of office and Dakuitoga is charged with two counts of bribery.

The alleged incident occurred between September 5 and December 4, 2015, in Suva.

It is alleged that Jogia offered Dakuitoga an advantage in the form of a return air ticket from Suva to Labasa and accommodation at a hotel in Labasa at a total cost of $383.

It is also alleged that Dakuitoga without lawful authority allegedly solicited from a Prakash Chand Khayal the sum of $200 and $100 in cash.

Savou is alleged to have approved private funds from Jogia to conduct a Police investigation.

The case has been adjourned to January 11 for mention.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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