Police Sergeant, ex-Vodafone employee face corruption-related charges

APolice sergeant and a former Vodafone Fiji Limited employee charged with corruption-related offences appeared yesterday in the Suva Magistrate’s Court. Rajneal Rakesh Kumar and Nilesh Kumar appeared before Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama. Rajneal is charged with two counts each of bribery and one count of obtaining a financial advantage. Nilesh is charged with one count each of aiding and abetting bribery, abuse of office and aiding and abetting in obtaining a financial advantage.

It is alleged that Rajneal, while employed by Vodafone Fiji Limited as a Specialist Fraud Risk and Corporate Security, solicited an advantage of $7000 from a Zohnain Zoran Ahmed.

Without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, he also accepted an advantage of $4000 from Ahmed and a Shamshun Nisha on account of him performing any act in his capacity as a public servant. Nilesh, while being employed as a Sergeant with the Fiji Police Force, allegedly did arbitrary acts for gain in abuse of the authority of his office. It is alleged he colluded with Rajneal to obtain $7000 from Ahmed whose case was pending an investigation with the Fiji Police Force.

In court yesterday, the matter was called to check on the second phase disclosures.

FICAC lawyer Jessie Lagonilakeba sought for more time from the court to serve the second phase disclosures to Rajneal and Nilesh. The magistrate has granted time to FICAC and adjourned the matter to check on the second phase disclosures to March 7.

Bail was extended for Rajneal and Nilesh.

Edited by Naisa Koroi