A man accused of burglary and theft has had his bail revoked due to repeated absences from court. Ben William Henry appeared in the High Court in Suva last Friday before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere. He faces charges related to an incident that allegedly occurred on July 7 of the previous year.
During the proceedings, Justice Tuiqereqere highlighted Henry’s failure to attend multiple court hearings, which resulted in a bench warrant issued for his arrest. State prosecutor Hezekiah Nofaga argued for the revocation of Henry’s bail, citing his lack of appearance since October last year.
In response, Henry claimed he had simply forgotten his court dates. His legal representative from the Legal Aid Commission, Tobia Ravuniwa, requested a two-week extension to confirm legal representation and express Henry’s wish to have the case returned to a lower court. However, Justice Tuiqereqere denied this request, stating that Henry had already chosen to have his case addressed in the high court.
The judge declared, “The accused has abused the privilege of bail, and therefore, he will be remanded in custody until trial.” The case has been adjourned and is set to resume on February 14, when a plea is expected to be entered.
This situation underscores the importance of adhering to court schedules, as failing to do so can lead to significant consequences, including the loss of bail privileges. It is hoped that this case serves as a reminder to all individuals facing legal proceedings about the importance of accountability and communication with the court.
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