Former Minister for Education Mahendra Reddy has exercised his right to remain silent in his alleged corruption case before the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

The matter was called before Chief Magistrates Usaia Ratuvili.

Defence counsel Devanesh Sharma informed the court that they will be closing the defence case as they will not be calling any other witnesses.

Mr Ratuvili has given prosecution 21 days to make submissions and thereafter seven days have been given to the defence to respond to the submissions.

Reddy is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption with one count each of bribery and undue influence.

It is alleged that Reddy in May this year in the Western Division, in order to influence the vote of a school manager Waisea Lebobo, directly conferred to offer a benefit which was a steady water source for the school.

It is also alleged that he interfered with the free exercise or performance of a political right of the school manager that is relevant to the 2018 election.

FICAC was represented by Rashmi Aslam.

The case has been adjourned to November 21, for mention

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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