Jone Vakarisi Junior and seven others who were recently charged for allegedly attacking Police officers at Mead Road in Nabua were further remanded by the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

The accused men appeared before Magistrate Liyanage Wickramasekara.

Vakarisi, Tevita Bulanaivalu, Ledua Gudru, Sekove Serukalou, Jese Sorovi, Toni Sokoiwasa, Chanel Antonio and Mark Ross have been charged with going equipped for theft, criminal intimidation, damaging property and resisting arrest.

Vakarisi had raised his concerns to the Magistrate of the issues he was facing while he was remanded.

Vakarisi claimed in court that there were 11 of them sharing the same cell.

The officer-in-charge of the Suva Remand Centre had informed the court that Vakarisi along with Tevita Bulanaivalu had refused for their cell to be searched on two separate occasions.

The court also heard that these search requests were directives from the Commissioner and that the two were against the rules and regulations of the Fiji Corrections Services.

Vakarisi said the search for their cell was carried out without reason.

Magistrate Wikaramasekara told the accused persons that the remand centre was run by officials and they needed to abide by the rules.

“I cannot get involved in the administration operations of the Corrections Services. I have not been given powers or have any authority,” Magistrate Wickramasekara said.

Accused Bulanaivalu also told the court that he needed to go to the hospital for a scan.

The court told the authorities to take him to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and if there was a need to obtain a court order, then the court needed to be informed.

The matter will be recalled on October 20 for mention.

The eight men were remanded in custody.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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