Defence files no case to answer in bribery case

Defence lawyers for two former Police officers fronting court for bribery charges will be filing submissions for a no case to answer today.

Sanita Laqenisiga and Ilisoni Tadau are charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). They are alleged to have accepted advantages in the form of money from the complainant, Avinesh Kumar, on three different occasions between February 13 and 15, 2014.

Laqenisiga and Tadau who each faces two counts of bribery are alleged to have accepted $400 on separate occasions in order to allow Kumar to keep a stolen mobile phone and to avoid arrest.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Kashyapa Wickramasekara at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

The prosecution closed its case yesterday after calling in five witnesses in a three-day trial.

The lawyers will be filing written submissions to be submitted in court by 4pm today.

Magistrate Wickramasekara will deliver his ruling on the submissions tomorrow.

Laqenisiga is being represented by Anil Chand from the Legal Aid Commission while Vani Ravono from Ravono and Raikaci Law is appearing for Tadau.

FICAC is represented by Sanjana Datt.

ASHNA KUMAR

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

Police uproot 200 marijuana plants

Police officers in Cakaudrove uprooted 200 plants believed to be marijuana during a drug raid on a farm in Wailevu yesterday.

This was confirmed by Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro.

“The drug raid resulted from working together with the Crime Prevention Committees in Cakaudrove,” Ms Naisoro said.

Ms Naisoro said the owner of the farm has been identified.

She said arrests will be made soon as investigation continues.

The plants have been taken to Tukavesi Police Station awaiting analysis.

PENI DRAUNA

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra