Five men and three women who were allegedly found on April 5 drinking kava at a kava shop in Nabua were produced in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

Shafiq Ali, 67, Mohammed Maulana Shah, 64, Leonard Vishnu Deo, 54, Sakeo Vuli, 69, Mesake Koroi, 53, Litia Lolohea, 30, Laisani Vakatale, 24 and Kalesi Samanunu, 27 are all charged with failure to comply with a lawful order.

Ali, who is a businessman earning about $200 weekly, was represented by a private lawyer.

The remaining six accused persons chose to be represented by Legal Aid Commission except for Shah who waived his right to counsel and chose to represent himself in Court.

Prosecution submitted that the accused persons were not a flight risk and not a threat to the community.

Magistrate Seini Puamau released them on $1000 bail bond and instructed them to follow the bail conditions imposed by the Court.

They were warned not to reoffend whilst on bail, not to interfere with the State’s case against them, to reside at a fixed residential address and not to relocate.

They were also told to follow the directives announced by Government in relation to social gatherings.

Their case has been adjourned to July 23rd for confirmation of legal representation.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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