State to investigate senior police bribery case

State prosecutors have sought time to further investigate allegations by Edward Nand’s lawyer that a senior police officer accepted a $10,000 bribe to have Mr Nand and two others cleared from the case, but failed to do so.

Mr Nand appeared alongside Semi Naisevunivai and Viliame Vulawalu before Judge Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu charged with murder.

The three are alleged to have brutally assaulted Afroz Khan in early December 2024 in a gas carrier and later abandoned his body in a river.

During proceedings today, Nand’s lawyer, Alanieta Bilivalu, told the court that one of their voir dire grounds related to a suspended Police Crime officer who allegedly took $10,000 in exchange for securing their release and removal from the case.

Ms Bilivalu said the alleged incident had been reported in the media and that Police had provided no update other than confirming the officer was currently suspended.

She also told the court that Nand was the complainant in the alleged bribery matter.

State Prosecutor Unaisi Ratukalou said the prosecution would need time to investigate the claims and reassess its evidence to determine whether the allegations would affect the proceedings.

Ms Ratukalou said this process would take more than 14 days.

Meanwhile, Naisevunivai’s lawyer, Paula Gade, sought a 14-day adjournment, telling the court the defence had yet to file its voir dire grounds.

Ms Ratukalou confirmed the prosecution had received the voir dire grounds filed by Nand and Vulawalu but also required time to file its voir dire disclosures.

The matter has been adjourned to February 20 for a further compliance check.

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