A former Counter Narcotics Bureau member has been remanded in custody and will reappear in court tomorrow for his bail hearing.
Varinava Sabua appeared before Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi this afternoon.
Sabua has been charged with one count of abuse of office, as he is alleged to have between January 2023 to December 2024, whilst being a police officer, abused his authority and engaged himself in unauthorised financial dealings whereby he obtained a gain of more than $22,000.
The 47-year old is also charged with one count of receiving corrupt benefit for the same transaction as without lawful excuse, he received a corrupt benefit amounting to more than $22,000.
He will appear in court tomorrow for his bail hearing.
Meanwhile Isireli Waqairalai, a former Counter Narcotics Bureau member and a Police officer, has also been remanded in custody until next Wednesday for his bail hearing.
He has been charged with one count of abuse of office.
Waqairalai appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne this afternoon.
It is alleged that during the month of July 2024, he abused his authority and without lawful excuse, leaked official investigation documents to an unauthorized third party, which is an arbitrary act, prejudicial to the rights of the Fiji Police Force.
Police Prosecution had objected to bail.
Magistrate Somaratne asked why is Police Prosecution handling this case and not the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Police Prosecutor says they are sending the file to the ODPP later today.
Defence counsel, Jioji Cakau asked why the Prosecution was objecting to bail as his client has a right to bail.
Magistrate Somaratne told Cakau that he can still file a formal bail application.
Cakau says he will file it this afternoon and serve it tomorrow.
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