Bail delayed for meth accused

The Suva Magistrate Court has deferred the ruling on the bail review application filed by drug accused Eroni Bati to Friday.

Bati, who is charged with allegedly importing 4.7 kilograms of methamphetamine into Suva, appeared before Magistrate Aisea Paka today.

During the proceedings, State prosecutor Unal Lal told the court that there were no new circumstances presented in the defence’s application.

Mr Lal cited a High Court case in Suva involving drugs, where Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu ruled that the defence had failed to provide concrete evidence to support claims of rising HIV cases in remand.

The court was also informed of bail rulings for two other accused persons facing drug-related charges alongside Bati.

Defence lawyer Joji Cakau contested the ruling, arguing that there was no public interest in the case.

Mr Cakau questioned why other drug accused had been granted bail while his client was denied the same, and maintained that the court had not ruled on the issue of HIV cases.

Magistrate Paka responded by stating that this was one of the most serious cases he had encountered, noting that the maximum sentence for the offence is life imprisonment.

Mr Cakau insisted on submitting documents to guide the court toward a fair ruling. However, the court objected, stating that doing so would prolong the case, as the State would also require time to respond.

Magistrate Paka stressed that as the applicant, Mr Cakau should have ensured that all relevant documents were submitted to prove changes in circumstances.

Bati’s production order was extended.