THE Prosecution will be grilling the former permanent secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Edmond Sikua, today when the trial resumes.
Sikua gave evidence in the defence case on Tuesday and had managed to complete his examination in chief.
Public Prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda, will today cross-examine Sikua when the hearing resumes this morning before Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi.
The former PS had denied any unlawful act stating that he and stated that granting of all the expenditures to Beads Investment were lawful and according to due process.
The Prosecution had called a total of 16 witnesses over the course of the Crown’s case.
Sikua is facing seven counts of official corruption.
This was in relation to allegations he awarded government tenders worth $630,436.50 to Beeds Investment, a company registered and owned by his two daughters.
Prosecution alleged that as permanent secretary, Sikua is by default the chairman of his ministry’s tender board.
It was alleged that between 18 December 2015 and 29 August 2016 Beeds Investments responded to calls for tenders and was awarded business contracts for service delivery to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services on seven different occasions.
The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services have made payments of $630,436.50 to Beeds Investments for these services.
Prosecution further alleged that, Sikua, used his position of power and influence within the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to manipulate the tendering process for his own and his family’s pecuniary advantage.
Sikua is the third public officer to have been arrested by Janus, since the establishment of the joint task-force in August 2016.
He is being represented by Gabriel Suri, of Suri’s Law Practice while Public Prosecutor, Bradley Dalipanda and Dalcy Belapitu are appearing for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
