The High Court has granted bail to Emosi Tikoicina, who is accused of setting fire to the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute located in Navuso, Nausori. The bail hearing took place this afternoon before High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.
Justice Rajasinghe imposed strict conditions on the bail, which include a prohibition on any interference with prosecution witnesses and a requirement for Tikoicina not to commit any further offenses while on bail. Additionally, Tikoicina is barred from entering the Technical Institute premises.
During the court proceedings, State Counsel Zenith Zunaid informed the judge that Tikoicina had confessed to a friend, who is also a student at the Institute. Tikoicina pleaded not guilty to the charges in May.
He faces a charge of Arson, as outlined in section 362 (a) of the Crimes Act 2009. The allegations state that on April 7, 2024, Tikoicina willfully and unlawfully set fire to the building of the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute and its assets.
The case has been scheduled for mention on September 30.