BY ROMINAH FAKA
The first interim mention in the case of two police officers accused of bribery in the case of stolen gold dust was brought to court.
Prosecution and defence told court they had no issues regarding the trial which is set for June 23-27.
Previously during the Pre-Trial-Conference (PTC) prosecution confirmed it would call three witnesses and about seven witnesses by defence.
Matter was adjourned for April 25 for second interim-mention. Both defendants are excused to appear in court and their bail was extended.
Gravis Afuga and Allen Noni are charged jointly with one count of bribery contrary to section 122 (a) of the Penal Code, read with section 21 (a) of the Penal Code.
Allen Noni is charged separately for one count of bribery.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
On November 8, 2024 an investigation of the stolen gold ashes was in progress.
It was alleged that officer 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.
Gura and Miriam Keni Sasau were charged with simple larceny by working together with prime suspect to sell gold ashes.
On November 12, 2024, the Central Police Station leading investigator received another call from accused Noni arranging for the investigator to meet with him and officer Afuga at Hender-son.
Noni allegedly bribed the investigator again with another $20,000 cash.
The investigator went back to the Central Police Station and update his supervisor about what officers Noni and Afuga had done and recorded the money as exhibits.
Later Noni and Afuga were 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 Afuga and Noni.
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