The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) yesterday filed a nolle prosequi (will no longer prosecute) against two Lautoka men who were charged after the discovery of M16 bullets in a boat last year.

This was after Lautoka lawyer Iqbal Khan had filed submissions that the prosecution had no evidence against the two.

Naushad Ali and Vijay Singh were initially charged with Lautoka businessman Iyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji and a consolidated charged with possession of ammunition without a licence.

It was alleged that on January 1, 2017, 179 live M16 ammunition were found in a boat belonging to Musa.

On the day in question Ali was charged after having travelled in the same boat for a short while.

Singh was charged after it was found that he had repaired the engine for the boat three days earlier.

The boat was anchored at Vuda Marina and became submerged, but was refloated and it was then that the ammunition was found.

They were remanded in custody by the Lautoka Magistrates Court, but Mr Khan successfully applied for their bail.

Mr Khan then filed and also successfully applied for a no case to answer against Musa submitting that there was no evidence and that the prosecution could not prove intent.

On December 20, 2017, Mr Khan submitted that during the hearing he would consent to all disclosures including a caution interview and not cross examine any witness.

Mr Alvin Singh of the ODPP yesterday filed a nolle prosequi before Magistrate Mosese Naivalu after informing the court that they have considered Mr Khan submissions and based on these submissions the Director of Public Prosecutions decided to withdraw all the charges against the accused.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce