'No case to answer' ruling overturned

The High Court in Suva has overturned the acquittals of former Minister Kalaveti Ravu and Fisheries Regional Manager North, Tekata Toaisi, sending their case back to the Magistrates Court.

Ravu is charged with one count of abuse of office, while Toaisi faces a charge of aiding and abetting in relation to alleged interference with an investigation into the illegal harvesting of a species of beche-de-mer.

Their case was dismissed earlier this year by Magistrate Jeremaia Savou, who ruled there was “no case to answer.”

However, this morning, Judge Justice Daniel Goundar found errors in that ruling.

The matter will return before Magistrate Savou on September 19 for continuation of proceedings.

Read more in tomorrow’s paper.