A former police constable has been sentenced to one year in prison following a bribery incident in Suva. Adrian Joseph Mangru, 27, was found guilty of soliciting a $200 bribe from an individual between October 22 and November 9, 2021, as part of an investigation into a traffic matter. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charged him under the Prevention of Bribery Act.
Initially, Mangru pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea during the court proceedings. He had approached the victim with claims concerning a “fatal” traffic case he was investigating, attempting to convince them that he could help avoid a 14-day remand in exchange for the money. When the victim was unable to meet his demands for a bribe, Mangru was arrested and charged.
During the court hearing, Mangru expressed remorse and sought forgiveness for his actions. However, the prosecutor urged for a custodial sentence due to the severity of the offense. Magistrate Joseph Daurewa took a firm stance, noting the breach of trust inherent in Mangru’s actions as a public officer. He emphasized that there were no exceptional circumstances that would justify suspending the sentence, highlighting that Mangru abused his authority for financial gain.
Mangru now has 28 days to appeal the sentence. This case underlines the importance of integrity within law enforcement and serves as a significant reminder of the consequences of corruption in positions of trust, reinforcing public confidence in the justice system.