Do you know that it is an illegal act for a public servant to ask for donations?

This was the main question stressed by FICAC lawyer Sarijeewa Dissanayake to defense witnesses that were called this morning in FICAC's case against former Commissioner Central Inoke Devo, who has been charged with five counts of official corruption and four counts of abuse of office.

The case was called before High Court Judge Justice Daniel Gounder.

Dissanayake had stressed to defense witnesses Police Sergeant Ranbir Prasad and former civil servant Ilisapeci Natau that it is illegal for civil servants to ask or receive donations for doing their job.

The FICAC lawyer also asked the witnesses whether both had requested donations for functions held, including Christmas parties, to which they confirmed they had.

Prasad said he had asked for donations for a crime free Nausori town meeting and Natau for two workshop cocktails where she had asked Devo to assist.  

Devo's lawyer Rajen Chaudhry then posed a question to defense witness, Natau on whether or not she had received a circular which said that they were not allowed to receive donations.

She replied no.

Devo had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of office and corruption.

The case has been adjourned to Tuesday for closing submissions from both lawyers.