Cop on bribery charge yet to decide whether to testify

A senior police officer accused of accepting more than $6,500 in bribes has been given additional time to decide how he will defend himself in court.

George Lagi faces one count of bribery under the Crimes Act. He appeared before Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somratne today.

It is alleged that between October 1, 2012, and January 31, 2014, while employed as an officer with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), he accepted an advantage of $6,580 from Divindra Bhagat in relation to the performance of his duties as a CID officer.

In court, the defence requested 14 days to confirm Lagi's position. The court heard that he must decide whether to give evidence in his own defence, remain silent, or call witnesses to testify on his behalf.

The matter was adjourned to allow the defence time to make that decision.

According to the allegations, the money was received in relation to the performance of his duties as a CID officer. He therefore faces one count of bribery under the relevant provisions of Fiji's anti-corruption laws.

The case has been adjourned to July 8.