University of the South Pacific Students 'Getting Some Fresh Air' Fined For Breaching Curfew Orders
He told the Court that he thought the lifting of the Suva lockdown also meant the lifting of the curfew orders.
Wednesday 22 April 2020 | 11:53
Kaota Ribabaiti outside the Suva Magistrates Court on April 20, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
A software engineering student, who told Police he was getting some fresh air when he was arrested at 10:25 pm on Saturday, was convicted in Court on Monday.
Kaota Ribabaiti, 20, a student at the University of the South Pacific, appeared before Magistrate Waleen George charged with breaching curfew orders.
He told the Court that he thought the lifting of the Suva lockdown also meant the lifting of the curfew orders.
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Ribabaiti was with his two cousins when they were arrested along Fletcher Road.
He pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $500.
Failure to pay the fine within three months will result in 50 days imprisonment, Magistrate George told him.
Meanwhile, a co-accused Motee Kaintoka, 20, appeared before Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama.
He chose to be represented by Legal Aid and was served full phase disclosures by Police Prosecutor Constable Tavinesh Naicker, who also did not object to his bail.
Kaintoka’s case has been adjourned to May 4 for a plea.
He was ordered not to return to Rabi and follow a court-appointed curfew from 6 pm to 6 am daily.
Edited by Ivamere Nataro
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