Four suspended police officers remanded over alleged assault, theft

Four suspended Samabula Police officers are set to appear in the High Court in Suva later this month after they were accused of assaulting and robbing a man last year.

Sevanaia Sedra, Ponipate Domolailai, Kurt Yee and Jonathan Whippy appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Sufia Hamza on Friday, charged with one count of an act intended to cause grievous harm.

It is alleged that on August 25, 2024, the four officers unlawfully wounded Joeli Ledua by repeatedly assaulting him.

Sedra faces an additional charge of theft. He is accused of stealing a Samsung Galaxy A35 mobile phone, an Adidas jacket and $200 from the victim after the alleged assault.

Defence counsel made an oral bail application, arguing that the four were first-time offenders, serving police officers and had not interfered with the prosecution’s case.

Counsel also submitted that they were prepared to provide two sureties, surrender their travel documents and comply with any other bail conditions imposed by the court.

State prosecutor Naazish Ali opposed the application, arguing that the charge was indictable and that Section 3 of the Bail Act did not guarantee bail, with the court required to balance all relevant considerations.

Ms Ali submitted that there was a high risk of interference because the accused officers worked in close proximity to the victim, who lives in Raiwaqa.

She told the court Sedra was a station sergeant, while the other three were officers attached to Samabula Police Station.

Ms Ali also argued that the allegations were serious and that the officers could be replaced at work.

"They had a duty to protect the community, but in this case, they are accused of committing an indictable offence and stealing from a civilian," she said.

Senior Resident Magistrate Hamza refused bail and transferred the case to the High Court in Suva.

The four accused have been remanded in custody and will make their first High Court appearance on August 28.