Defence seeks further disclosures in Lautoka drug import case

The defence lawyer for Nigerian national Chukwuemeka Ikenna Phabian has filed a motion seeking further disclosures from Police.

Phabian is among seven accused charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs. They appeared before Justice Aruna Aluthge at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.

The other accused are Are Tania, Apenisa Matadigo, Viliame Nalagi, Neumi Donumainasava, a Fiji Airways driver, Osea Raicama Dakai, head of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service intelligence unit, and Uraia Bolalailai.

Dakai was separately charged last month for the alleged importation of more than 4.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The defence for Matadigo, Nalagi, Donumainasava and Bolalailai has filed voir dire applications challenging their caution interviews. Legal Aid is representing Nalagi, Donumainasava and Bolalailai.

All accused have pleaded not guilty.

The court confirmed there will be no consolidation of High Court criminal cases 165 and 164 of 2025.

John Rabuku appeared for the prosecution, while Unaisi Baleilevuka appeared for Phabian.

The matter has been adjourned to April 24, 2026.