46-year-old charged with murder after yaqona dispute

A 46-year-old man appeared in the High Court in Suva last month facing murder charges in connection with the death of a 23-year-old man after an alleged dispute over stolen yaqona plants.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the accused confronted the man, suspected of stealing yaqona from his farm. After the man denied the allegation, the accused allegedly punched him multiple times, resulting in his death.

The case is among eight indictments filed by the ODPP in the High Court in Suva last month, in which a total of 10 people face 17 counts of non-sexual offences.

Seven cases of aggravated robbery were also filed, including one involving a juvenile.

The ODPP recorded two cases of grievous harm. In one matter, a 24-year-old man was charged with allegedly assaulting his de facto partner with a wooden stick.

In another case, a 23-year-old man was charged with two counts of intent to cause grievous harm after allegedly striking two men, aged 21 and 23, with a cane knife during an altercation.

In a separate incident, a 44-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were jointly charged with five counts of aggravated robbery and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

It is alleged they robbed five victims of mobile phones, clothing, and tools while the victims were attempting to free themselves from a vehicle that had veered off the road.

Cash and assorted items were also allegedly stolen in separate aggravated robbery incidents, including both daytime and nighttime street muggings.

The ODPP filed a nolle prosequi in two cases due to insufficient evidence.