Lawyer change forces delay in Samabula sacrilege case

A last-minute change in legal representation has forced another delay in a sacrilege case linked to the Samabula Shiv Temple in Suva.

Samuela Tawase appeared before Yogesh Prasad at the Suva Magistrate Court yesterday, where the matter was set for closing submissions.

However, the hearing could not proceed after it was revealed that the lawyer present in court was not the one who had represented Tawake throughout the trial under Legal Aid Commission.

Magistrate Prasad questioned the situation and made it clear that it would not be proper to continue with a different lawyer at such a critical stage of the case.

He stressed that the same counsel who handled the trial should complete the closing submissions. As a result, the case was adjourned.

Meanwhile, Tawase is charged with committing sacrilege, accused of jumping over the fence of the Samabula Shiv Temple on July 13 last year and damaging religious idols inside the compound.

Tawase has been further remanded in custody and will return to court on May 4 for closing submissions.

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