'My client was just a passenger': Lawyer to challenge attempted murder charge

Lawyer for one of the three men accused of the attempted murder of a police officer will ask the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to reconsider the charges against his client, claiming he was only a passenger in the vehicle.

The case involving Dominiko Tabao, Saimoni Rokotunidau and Jone Rakatia was called before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere in the High Court in Suva today.

The three men are accused of attempting to murder a police officer who was manning a roadblock during an incident on April 26 this year.

Defence lawyer Yogen Kumar, who represents Rakatia, confirmed the defence was preparing to make representations to the ODPP to review the charges against his client.

Mr Kumar said Rakatia was only a passenger in the vehicle during the alleged incident and the defence believed the charges should be reconsidered.

He said it would be up to the prosecution to determine whether any changes would be made.

Meanwhile, the court heard the matter had been consolidated into one case after the three accused were initially charged separately. Mr Kumar also confirmed the defence had received the State's disclosures.

Tabao and Rakatia each face one count of attempted murder, one count of serious assault and one count of going equipped with housebreaking tools.

Rokotunidau faces additional charges of attempted murder, serious assault, going equipped with housebreaking tools and unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

The matter was adjourned to July 21.