The driver accused of causing the death of a Bangladeshi national on Saturday appeared yesterday at the Nasinu Magistrates Court.

It is alleged that Saimoni Ubitau, 24, of Nakasi was under the influence of alcohol when the car he was driving bumped and killed Mohammed Mahfuzur Rahman, 56.

The late Mr Rahman was standing alongside the Imam of the Nasole Mosque with Mohammed Faiyaz, waiting to cross the road to the mosque, when they were hit by the car. Mr Faiyaz suffered injuries.

Ubitau appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza and his charges were read out to him in court.

On the first count of dangerous driving occasioning death, Ubitau is alleged to have driven the rental on September 9 in a manner that was dangerous to the public having regards to all the circumstances of the case thereby caused the death of the deceased.

On the second count he is charged with driving a motor vehicle while there was present in his blood a concentration of alcohol in excess of the prescribed limit. It is alleged that on the same day while driving the rental car there was a concentration of 103.4 milligrams of alcohol present in 100 millilitres of his blood. He indicated to the court that he understood the charge.

On the third count of dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm, he allegedly drove in a manner which was dangerous to the public and caused bodily injuries to Mr Faiyaz.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Joseph Dickson served disclosures to Ubitau and objected to bail.

He told Magistrate Hamza that the case was of public interest and the offence was of an indictable nature.

The defence sought time to make their formal bail application, which was granted by the court accordingly.

Seven days was given to the defence to lodge their formal bail application and an additional seven days was given to the Prosecution to respond forthwith.

Ubitau has been further remanded in custody. His case will be called for mention at the Nasinu Court on September 25.