Police officer’s plea deferred in corruption case
Sabua accused of negotiating payments with drug dealer to lift travel ban; bail application pending.
Friday 03 October 2025 | 03:00
Senior police officer Varinava Sabua outside the Suva Magistrate Court.
Photo: Ronald Kumar
The Suva Magistrate Court has deferred the plea of police officer Varinava Sabua after his lawyer informed the court that he was not ready to take a plea.
Sabua, who faces one count each of abuse of office and receiving a corrupt benefit, appeared before Magistrate Viniana Diroiroi this morning.
It is alleged that between April 25, 2024, and February 27, 2025, Sabua engaged with a well-known drug dealer to negotiate payments to Customs officers, an Immigration officer, and a Police prosecutor to lift a Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) on a person of interest.
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It is further alleged that sometime between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, Sabua received a corrupt benefit of $22,877.27 from two individuals via Western Union Money Transfer.
During the proceedings, defence lawyer Joji Cakau informed the court that they intended to file a formal bail application.
With no objection from Police prosecution, Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi granted 14 days for both parties to prepare the bail application. The case will return to court on October 17 for Sabua’s plea.
His production order was extended.
