A hearing date has been set for former Education Minister, Dr Mahendra Reddy when he appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court on corruption related charges this morning.

Dr Reddy is charged with one count of bribery and another count of undue influence by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption.

Suva lawyer Devanesh Sharma who is representing Dr Reddy says that his client made an application to set a hearing date and has filed a notice of motion.

The Defence requested for a hearing date on the 25th and 26th of this month.

However Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili says the court will not be available on those dates.

The hearing date is now set for the 6th and 8th of September.

Reddy is alleged to have conferred or offered to confer a benefit namely a steady water source for the Ra High School in order to influence the vote of
Waisea Lelobo, the manager of Ra High School.

Dr Reddy is also alleged to have interfered with relevant the free exercise or performance of a political right of Lelobo that is to the 2018 general election.

The minister pleaded not guilty to both charges after it was put to him in court.