Farmer Who Allegedly Struck Fellow Villager With Cane Knife Granted Bail

A 33-year-old farmer of Lau who allegedly struck a fellow villager with a cane knife, was bailed by the Suva Magistrates Court on Monday.

The accused, Akapusi Qalobula, appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili and was represented by Legal Aid lawyer Paula Gade.

On February 21, at about 6:30am the accused allegedly struck the 47-year-old victim on his face with his cane knife after an argument arose between them.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Josua Shaw sought leave from the court to file and serve the accused with full phase disclosures.

Corporal Shaw objected to Qalobula’s bail on the grounds that the charge was serious and there was tension brewing in the village.

Mr Gade advanced the accused’s bail application and said the complainant was still in Vanuabalavu and the accused was willing to reside in Suva until completion of his case.

He said there were two sureties available who would ensure the accused appears in court every time his case was called and that he would be staying with one of them in Raiwaqa.

Mr Gade submitted that if the court decides to try the case in the village then an interim domestic violence restraining order could be imposed against his client.

He said the accused was not a flight risk because he did not have a passport.

Corporal Shaw made an application for the case to be transferred to the High Court because the case was an indictable offence.

Magistrate Ratuvili granted the accused bail for a sum of $700.

He ordered the accused to reside in Raiwaqa with his surety and ordered him to report to the Raiwaqa Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8am and 6pm.

Magistrate Ratuvili said the seriousness of an offence was not a sufficient reason to deny an accused person bail.

A stop departure order was also issued against the accused and he was warned not to change his residential address until completion of his case.

The case has been adjourned to March 22, for first call in the High Court. Edited by Percy Kean

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