A senior police officer has been implicated in a bribery scandal involving a $10,000 payment to secure the release of three men accused of the murder of Afroz Khan. The men, Edward Nand, Semi Naisevunivai, and Viliame Vulawalu, appeared in the High Court in Suva, where the serious allegations against them were laid out. They are accused of kidnapping Khan and demanding a ransom from his wife, which they instructed her to leave in a rubbish bin near Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
According to reports, when the ransom was not received, the accused allegedly resorted to violence, assaulting Khan before ultimately drowning him in a river in Naitasiri sometime between November 27 and December 27, 2024. The gravity of these allegations has prompted prosecutor Unaisi Ratukalou to confirm that an investigation into the bribery claim is currently underway, with Nand serving as the complainant. Ratukalou has requested a 14-day period to thoroughly explore the implications that these bribery allegations may have on the ongoing murder case.
The proceedings were overseen by Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu, and the case has been adjourned until February 20. This situation not only raises critical concerns about police integrity but also highlights the need for swift and transparent investigations to ensure justice is served for Khan and his family.