Former Suva Lawyer Ordered To Be Examined At St Giles

The Magistrates Court in Suva has ordered that former Suva lawyer, Shazran Abdul La­teef, be examined at the Saint Giles Hospital.

This is after Lateef told the court that while being in remand, he re­quested to be examined and coun­selled at the St Giles Hospital for rehabilitation purposes.

He appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa for two of his al­leged drug charges yesterday.

Lateef also told the court that it was Christmas week and sought for bail as his families were traveling from overseas.

He also told the court that he did not possess any threat to the soci­ety and that he had always abided by the court's decision and rules.

He also told the court that he would not run away and if the court would grant him bail as he would be in Suva.

Lateef told the court that in a year, he had six charges against him for unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

He also told the court that his ac­tions were not affecting any third party.

Magistrate Daurewa said the St Giles Hospital was full and the best he could do was to have Lateef treated in there, however he said Lateef would have to be remanded in custody at the remand centre.

For the first matter, Lateef is charged with two counts of unlaw­ful possession of illicit drugs.

In the matter, it is alleged that on August 14, this year, Lateef in Raiwaqa, Suva, was found in pos­session of 0.0063 grams of white crystal substances botanically known as methamphetamine, and 7.5 grams of cannabis sativa (mari­juana), an illicit drug.

In recent charges:

Lateef is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

For the first charge, Lateef is al­leged to unlawfully possession 4.6 grams of marijuana, an illicit drug.

For the second charge, Lateef is al­leged to have unlawfully possessed 1.8 grams of cocaine, an illicit drug.

Lateef was arrested on Decem­ber 10 following a drug raid con­ducted by the Police in Suva. He was searched and the alleged drugs were found in his possession.

The matter has been adjourned for mention before Magistrate Dau­rewa on December 30.

Lateef has been further remanded in custody.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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