Brothers Face $121,000 Robbery, Theft Charges
Two brothers appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with robbery related charges.
The accused, Vereniki Ralulu, 29, and Joape Ralulu, 22, both labourers of Nawaicoba in Nadi, appeared before Magistrate Siromi Turaga charged with one count of aggravated robbery and one count of theft.
The Court heard that on August 26, in Solovi, Nadi, Vereniki and Jope were allegedly part of a group of five men armed with cane knives that robbed a 40-year-old businessman, Mohammed Intiaz Khan. The court heard that they fled with assorted items including jewellery, laptops, mobile phones and a vehicle, worth $121,283 in total.
The two accused understood the charge when it was read out to them. Police prosecutor Sergeant Frances Bale represented the State. Magistrate Turaga ordered that the plea be deferred. He said it was a serious and an indictable offence with higher sentencing of 20 years and the lowest sentencing of 10 years.
He also said the case could not be dealt in the lower court, so he transferred it to the High Court.
Magistrate Turaga also advised Vereniki and Jope, and their families present to seek assistance from the Legal Aid Commission. The case has been adjourned to the High Court in Lautoka for mention on September 12.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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