Murder accused tells court: ‘I will fight my case on my own’
It is alleged that last December, the three men lured Khan, the victim to a vehicle and assaulted him, used him as a ransom and beat him to death.
Friday 01 August 2025 | 03:30
Murder accused, Semi Naisevunivai outside the High Court in Suva on August 1, 2025.
Beranadeta Nagatalevu
One of the three men accused of murdering Afroz Khan in Nausori last December has asked to represent himself, prompting concern from the High Court.
Semi Naisevunivai appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu today for his second bail hearing, but surprised the court by seeking to withdraw the Legal Aid Commission's (LAC) representation.
Naisevunivai, who is charged alongside Viliame Vulawalu and Edward Nand, was scheduled to have his bail application presented by LAC lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa.
The trio is accused of luring Khan into a vehicle, assaulting him, using him as ransom, and ultimately beating him to death. It is alleged they later dumped his body in a river.
Mr Ravuniwa informed the court that after visiting Naisevunivai at the Suva Remand Centre last week, his client was firm in his decision to drop Legal Aid representation for bail.
Justice Bulamainaivalu expressed strong concern.
“The charges against you are serious. Representing yourself will only weaken your case,” the judge warned.
He advised Naisevunivai to reconsider and gave both men time after Thursday’s proceedings to discuss the matter further. However, Naisevunivai remained defiant, telling Mr Ravuniwa in the iTaukei language: "Respectfully, please, let me fight my case on my own."
Meanwhile, all three defence lawyers told the court they would be challenging the admissibility of several postmortem photographs, arguing they do not establish Khan's cause of death.
Voire dire grounds have been filed and served to the State. The defence also contests the voluntariness of their clients' confessions and the legality of how their DNA samples were collected.
Mr Ravuniwa specifically raised concerns about the chain of custody in Naisevunivai’s DNA evidence and has asked the State to produce the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) used by the CID's Forensic team.
Justice Bulamainaivalu has given all parties 14 days to sort out outstanding pre-trial matters. The case will be called again on August 19.
A production order was issued for all three accused to appear.
