The Suva Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the case against Jone Vakarisi after the Police Prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence during the trial. Vakarisi was facing a charge of criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening Alanieta Kuini by saying, “I will kill you,” with the intention of causing alarm.
The incident took place on May 2, 2022, in Nabua, Suva. During the court proceedings, Prosecutor Ledua informed the court that they were unprepared for trial due to the absence of their main witness. Only police officers were present to support the prosecution’s case.
Magistrate Prasad expressed his disappointment to Prosecutor Ledua, stating that their inaction left him with no alternative. He reminded the prosecutor of Section 14 (g) of the 2013 Constitution, which guarantees the accused the right to a trial that begins and concludes without unreasonable delay.
Due to the prosecution’s setbacks, Magistrate Prasad ruled that there was no case to answer. When asked about his current situation, Vakarisi revealed he was nearing the end of his one-year, three-month imprisonment sentence, being one of the eight convicted in connection to the Nabua assault case in 2018.
Ultimately, Magistrate Prasad acquitted Vakarisi under Section 170 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009.