BY ROMINAH FAKA
THE magistrate court acquitted one of two police officers accused of bribery due to insufficient evidence on Friday, May 23.
Principal Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa granted the prosecution’s application to withdraw the bribery charge against Gravis Afuga, acquitting him of the charge.
Prosecution made the application to withdraw the charge under section 190 (2)(b) (i) of the Criminal Procedural Code to acquit Afuga due to insufficient evidence.
This leaves Allen Noni facing two counts of bribery.
Trial period for this matter was set for June 23-27.
Friday’s appearance was also for an interim mention for Allen Noni’s matter.
Both prosecution and defence told court they had no issues to raise.
Noni’s matter will return to court on July 15 for the next interim mention date.
Noni was charged with two counts of bribery contrary to section 122 (a) of the Penal Code, with section 21 (a) of the Penal Code.
On November 8, 2024 an investigation of stolen gold ashes was in progress.
Prosecution alleged that Noni contacted the General Police Station leading investigator of the gold case and allegedly bribed him with a sum of $10,000 in return for the investigator to leave out the investigation file of accused Max Gura regarding the gold ashes.
This meeting between defendant Noni and the leading investigator at Town Ground was witnessed by two other officers.
On November 12, 2024, the Central Police Station leading investigator received another call from defendant Noni.
It was alleged during the conversation between the leading investigator and Noni, Noni held into his bag and bribed the leading investigator again with another $20,000.
The investigator went back to the Central Police Station and updated their supervisor about what Noni had done and recorded the money as exhibits.
Later Noni was arrested and charged with bribery.
Jeremy Oiofa from Office of Director of Public Prosecution is Prosecuting and Donation Houa from the Public Solicitor Office act for defendants Noni.
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