The man who damaged the Delainavesi Police Post in Lami in 2018, has been found guilty on all offences by the High Court in Suva.

Samuela Bokadi, 25, appeared yesterday before Judge Justice Daniel Goundar for the judgment of his case.

Bokadi is charged with one count of damaging property, six counts of act with intent to cause grievous harm and four counts of resisting arrest. He had pleaded guilty to the charge of damaging property and was tried for the charges of resisting arrest and act with intent to cause grievous harm.

State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Bhavna Kantharia, while the accused is represented by Kemueli Verebalavu and Mele Ratidara from the Legal Aid Commission.

Bokadi has been convicted as charged.

Justice Goundar said the case had features of domestic terror. He said western countries would have declared the case as a domestic terror. He also highlighted that in other jurisdictions where the Police officers were armed and if they tell a person to put down their arms and they do not, the person would not even stand or see the dock in court.

Justice Goundar said it was fortunate that in Fiji, the Police officers were not armed.

He also ordered a psychological evaluation to be conducted for Bokadi before he was sentenced. The matter has been adjourned for mention to April 3. Bokadi has been further remanded in custody.
The charges:

For the offence of resisting arrest, it is alleged that Bokadi on July 24, 2018 in Lami, resisted arrest by Special Constable Tulia Tuikenawa, Police Constable Tevita Matakarawa, Police Constable Nicklesh Singh, Corporal Talikai Kavu, and Corporal Smit Prasad, in due execution of their duty.

For the offence of act with intent to cause grievous harm, it is alleged that Bokadi on July 24, 2018 in Lami, with intent to do grievous harm to Alivia Wekanaiwekana, Special Constable Tulia Tuikenawa, Police Constable Tevita Matakarawa, Police Constable Nicklesh Singh, Corporal Talikai Kavu, and Corporal Smit Prasad unlawfully struck the Police Constable with a cane knife.

For the offence of damaging property, it is alleged that Bokadi on July 24, 2018 in Lami, willfully and unlawfully damaged 6mm clear door glass valued at $22.93, a 10 metre gauze wire valued at $67.47, five pairs louvre frames valued at $90, 40 louvre blades valued at $71.20, one ply door valued at $30, one 300-litre plastic water tank valued at $162 and one rubbish bin valued $141.89 all to the total value of $585.49, the property of the Fiji Police Force.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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