Court Briefs
May 29 trial for
drug accused
The trial concerning a man who is alleged to have cultivated 32 plants of marijuana will begin on May 29, this year.
Jeremaia Donu Nakalevu, who is charged with possession and cultivation of marijuana, appeared before Justice Salesi Temo yesterday in the High Court in Suva.
It is alleged that Nakalevu had unknowingly cultivated 32 plants of marijuana weighing 11kilograms.
Nakalevu had asked the court that he be granted bail, but this was denied because he allegedly escaped court from December 12, 2015 until June 10, last year.
The matter has been adjourned to May 8 for mention; Nakalevu will remain in remand until then.
MONICA AGUILAR
Edited by Naisa Koroi
2 of 4 drug
accused front court
Two out of the four accused from Tacilevu in Cakaudrove who were allegedly involved in a drug related case were finally presented in court after their arrest earlier this week.
The men were arrested after a raid was conducted by Police leading to the identification and seizure of 300 marijuana plants on Tuesday.
The duo, Are Kakanu and Maikali Dawai, are charged with one count of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs and one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs each.
The two were expected to appear at the Labasa Magistrates Court yesterday but were taken to the Savusavu Magistrates Court at midday.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the other two accused were also charged with a count each of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs.
JOSAIA RALAGO
Edited by Jonathan Bryce
Two assessors find
Tokalau Not Guilty
There was a sigh of relief from relatives of manslaughter accused, Kelevi Tokalau,when two out of the three assessors found him not guilty after a trial at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Two out of the three assessors at the Suva High Court believed that Tokalau was not guilty for the death of Saula Sucu in 2015.
Justice Temo will deliver his judgment on March 27.
Tokalau was charged with one count of manslaughter that resulted in the death of Sucu at the O’Reillys Nightclub in Suva.
It is alleged the punches he threw had caused the death of the deceased, Sucu.
Tokalau had allegedly punched the deceased after he attempted to enter the night club through a window in a separate smoking room at the club.
He denied punching the deceased but rather, slapped him while he and another bouncer carried the deceased out of the club.
MONICA AGUILAR
