Judge acquits car dealer, Customs man
Two men charged with four counts of bribery were acquitted in the Suva High Court on Friday.
Abdul Shekeb and Josefa Raboiliku Marawa were taken to court by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) for allegedly offering and receiving an advantage to each other.
The alleged incidents happened between April 1, 2015 and April 30, 2015 when Shekeb; the owner of Ariana Used Cars and Spare Parts allegedly offered a Toyota Harrier vehicle with registration HV915 to Marawa, who was the Acting National Border, Customs at the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority, now known as the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service.
Shekeb was also alleged to have offered a $4000 loan to Marawa on or about July 19, 2015 on account of his performing any act in his capacity as Acting National Manager Border, Customs. The three trial assessors returned with an unanimous not guilty opinion that both men did not commit the offences.
Justice Vinsent Perera agreed with the assessors and returned with a not guilty verdict.
In his evidence, Shekeb said he gave the $4000 to Marawa for him to secure a loan with BSP in order to pay for the vehicle.
“Obviously, he was interested in this loan being approved as it was money due to his company. Therefore, a reasonable inference cannot be drawn from the evidence led in this case that the aforementioned advantage was provided on account of the second accused performing any act in his capacity as a public servant,” Justice Perera said.
He said FICAC failed to adduce evidence to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Shekeb was represented by private lawyer Iqbal Khan while Marawa was represented by Jone Bale.