A Fiji court has acquitted the country's former education minister.
Fiji's former Education Minister Mahendra Reddy. Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
Mahendra Reddy was found not guilty of one charge of bribery and one count of undue influence.
Dr Reddy was alleged to have offered a steady water source to a high school in exchange for a school manager's vote.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption said he interfered with the free exercise or performance of the manager's political rights.
But in the Suva Magistrates Court this morning, Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili said the state had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Dr Reddy, who resigned from the ruling Fiji First party after the charges were first filed, is due to release a statement this afternoon.