News in Brief : 18 Feb, 2017

Bail extended for sexual assault accused
A bail application for a 28-year-old man charged with sexual assault has been extended.
Joseva Diva appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.
It is alleged that he pushed his friend into the sea after she refused to have sex with him.
The alleged incident took place on August 18, last year when Diva and the girl were walking along the Suva seawall. Police Prosecutor Corporal Caroline Fisher requested the court to cancel Diva’s bench warrant.
Kamlesh Arya pleads not guilty to charges
The former registrar of the University of Fiji and acting school manager of Bhawani Dhayal Memorial Primary School has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
Kamlesh Arya is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty.
Arya appeared before Justice Wengappuli yesterday in the High Court in Suva.
It is alleged that Arya, from January 1 to January 31, 2014, while being employed as the registrar at the University of Fiji and acting school manager for Bhawani Dayal Memorial Primary School, authorised loans amounting to $116,500 from the Free Education Grant provided by the Ministry of Education to the primary school.
Arya is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
It is also alleged that Arya dishonestly caused a loss to the school by authorising the loans and knowingly made a loss amounting to $116,500. The matter will be called again on March 27 for mention in the High Court in Suva.
Man pleads guilty to escaping Police custody
A 26-year-old man appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday for escaping lawful custody.
Joeli Naunawa pleaded guilty to the charge of escaping from Police custody while being escorted with two prisoners to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital on February 10, this year.
Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa was told by Police Prosecutor Corporal Caroline Fisher that Naunawa had a pending case in the High Court in Suva and two cases in the Valelevu Court.
The matter will be called again on February 24 for his sentencing. Naunawa will be remanded in custody.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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