DUBAI // An operations manager accused of taking bribes of almost Dh116,000 to favour a bid from a steel supply firm has had his acquittal upheld.

Public Prosecution appealed against the acquittal of Irish national A O, 29, by Dubai Criminal Court in August this year, but Dubai Court of Appeal upheld the verdict.

Prosecutors accused A O, who worked for an engineering firm, of requesting the bribe to approve a company’s bid.

J O, 53, also from Ireland, who owns the engineering company, said he noticed a discrepancy in the price of the order of steel approved by A O.

“I sat with him but he was defending this company and saying that its prices were suitable,” J O said.

J O then had his wife contact the company, where she found that A O had received three cheques in return for selecting its bid.

After being confronted in July 2011, A O resigned.

salamir@thenational.ae