Five Kadavu Farmers Appear For Allegedly Attacking Police

Five Kadavu farmers, including a juvenile, who allegedly attacked Police, appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

They are Iliesa Bula, Iginisio Ledua, Lenaitasi Nuku and Iliesa Nabulu, plus the juvenile.

The juvenile has been granted bail.

The remaining four accused have been remanded to reappear on Monday, March 7, 2022.

Magistrate Jeremaia Savou yesterday ordered that two of the accused farmers, Bula and Ledua, from Gasele Village in Yale, Kadavu, be medically examined.

All the accused are jointly charged with a juvenile and were apprehended for allegedly assaulting and throwing stones at police officers.

They were also placed on remand by Magistrate Savou.

After their Legal Aid lawyer, Watisoni Navuni, told the court that his clients were assaulted when they were being transported to Vunisea by police officers, the magistrate ordered that the accused persons be examined.

Police prosecutor Constable Volau Yalimaiwai objected to bail for Bula and Ledua because of the severity of the charges, and it was of public interest.

Mr Navuni said his clients should get bail and the matter be transferred to Kadavu Court because his clients were farmers, who were innocent until proven guilty.

He said it was more convenient and would save Government resources.

He added nothing was proven in court and the charges were still allegations and not concrete to be of public interest.

Lawyer Manasa Vueti, who is representing the third accused, Lenaitasi Nuku, told the court that it was proper for his client’s case to be transferred to Kadavu because it would be costly for his client to go back and forth for his court case and if his client is bailed and is called in Suva then he could easily be tempted by the city life.

The charges as follows:

Count 1: Serious Assault- Iliesa Bula, Ignisio Ledua, Lenaitasi Nuku with another on 22 February 2022 at Gasele Village, assaulted Police Constable 7156 Eceli Tuinicagi in due execution of his duties.

Count 2: Serious Assault- Iliesa Bula, Ignisio Ledua, Lenaitasi Nuku with another on 22 February 2022 assaulted Police Constable 7080 Aminiasi in the due execution of his duties.

Charge 3: Throwing Stones- Iliesa Bula, Ignisio Ledua, Lenaitasi Nuku with another on 22 February 2022 without lawful excuse threw stones at A/ASP Maciu Vunivesilevu with intent to cause harm.

They were remanded and the case adjourned for bail hearing on Monday (March 7). Meanwhile, Iliesa Nabulu also of Gasele Village, who is charged with criminal intimidation.

It is alleged that on February 22, 2022 Nabulu without lawful excuse threatened PC 5436 Pita Narawa by holding a fishing spear in his hand and threatened: “You can get killed here”. Prosecution asked the court to deny bail on the ground he had two pending matters related to possession of illicit drugs. Defence lawyer Vueti requested bail because his client was suffering from asthma. He was also ordered by Magistrate Savou to be medically examined and remanded. The case has been adjourned for bail hearing on March 7.

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