KHDA instructor jailed for taking bribe

The Dubai Court of Appeal upheld three months jail term to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) instructor who asked a policewoman for a bribe in order to help her pass an International Computer Driving License (ICDL) test.

The Court also upheld a fine of Dh2,000 and deportation issued against MF, 30, by the Court of First Instance.
 
Despite of his denial, MF was charged with requesting and accepting bribe from the policewoman after she failed in her ICDL examination thrice.
 
According to the accusation sheet, MF abused his duties as a public servant and requested Dh2000, three mobile phones and two perfumes in bribe from the Emirati policewoman, who failed three tests of the compulsory ICDL course, to help her succeed.
 
The policewoman testified that the incident occured after Dubai Police's management enrolled her in the ICDL course, which took place at Dubai Police Officers' Club.
 
"I failed the first two exams. When I asked MF how I could buy CDs containing trial exams to improve my performance, he gave me his contact number to guide me later on how to download the programmes on my computer… I dropped the idea because the CDs cost Dh1,200 and my computer at home is not compatible with the CDs.
 
"After failing the third exam, I learnt from others that I could repeat the exam for Dh75. However, when I checked with my instructor, he told me that I was not legible to repeat the examination. Afterwards he visited me at work and offered to help me pass if I could pay him and two of his colleagues money and buy them phones and perfumes," the policewoman testified before prosecutors.
 
I told my seniors about the instructor’s request for bribe,” she said.
 
The policewoman, upong the request of her seniors bought the instructor the requested items and the money and he was arrested during a sting operation.
 
The verdict remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.