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Court Convicts Former iTLTB Officer on Two Bribery Counts

Posted by Media Team 31 August 2026

The Suva Magistrates Court has convicted former iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) officer Josaia Waqairatu on two counts of Bribery.

Mr Waqairatu was convicted on 28 August 2026 after Resident Magistrate Viniana Diroiroi found the charges against him proved beyond reasonable doubt.

The charges relate to two occasions between 1 September 2019 and 31 December 2019 when Mr Waqairatu was employed by iTLTB. The Court found that Mr Waqairatu solicited advantages totalling $450 in connection with acts performed in his capacity as a public servant relating to an iTLTB lease application.

The Court also rejected Mr Waqairatu's explanation that the money constituted a personal loan. Under the Prevention of Bribery Act 2007, a loan falls within the meaning of an “advantage”. Mr Waqairatu has been remanded in custody pending sentencing.

The matter has been adjourned to 4 September 2026 for mitigation submissions and sentencing.