Former CID boss appears before Magistrate
Luke Rawalai was bailed with strict conditions
Aformer director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday facing five corruption-related charges. Luke Rawalai is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with three counts of abuse of office and two counts of receiving a bribe.
The case was called before Magistrate Makareta Mua.
Rawalai is represented by defence lawyer Jolame Uludole. FICAC is represented by Sam Savumiramira.
Magistrate Mua granted Rawalai a fresh bail of $1000 bond - with two sureties who each signed the bond.
Rawalai is to report to the Lautoka Police Station every last Friday of the month and is not to change his residential address.
He was also ordered to surrender all his travel documents to the court.
Count One: Abuse of office
It is alleged that between June 17, 2011 and March 14, 2014 in Suva, while being employed in the Public Service as the director CID and a Senior Superintendant of the Fiji Police Force, in abuse of the authority of his office, did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain, namely interfered with the Police investigation conducted by way of Nadi Enquiry Paper 147/10 into an allegation of rape which is an act Prejudicial to the Fiji Police Force.
Count Two: Abuse of office
It is alleged that between February 1, 2013 and March 31, 2013 in Suva, in abuse of the authority of his office, did an arbitrary act for the purpose of gain, namely directed the Nadi Police Station Criminal Investigation Division personnel to charge for Police Docket CR 213/13 without any evidence and against the findings of the Nadi Police Station Criminal Investigation Division Personnel which is an act Prejudicial to the Fiji Police Force.
Count Three: Receiving a bribe
It is alleged that between January 3, 2012 and December 5, 2013 at Suva, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse received a benefit of $2400 for himself with the intention that his duties as a public official will be influenced.
Count Four: Abuse of office
It is alleged that between December 1, 2012 and January 31, 2014 in Suva, in abuse of the authority of his office did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain namely interfered with the Police investigation conducted by way of Police Enquiry Paper 22/12 into an allegation of forgery of a will which is an act prejudicial to the Fiji Police Force.
Count Five: Receiving a bribe
It is alleged that between December 1, 2012 and January 31, 2014 at Suva, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse received a benefit of $5723 for himself with the intention that his duties as a public official will be influenced.
The matter was referred to FICAC by the Director of Public Prosecutions and Police Force.
The case has been adjourned to April 21, for plea.
Rawalai is represented by defence lawyer Jolame Uludole.