The Suva Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the charges against Jone Vakarisi due to the Police Prosecution’s failure to provide sufficient evidence during the trial. Vakarisi was accused of criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening Alanieta Kuini with the words, “I will kill you,” intending to cause alarm. The incident took place on May 2, 2022, in Nabua, Suva.
During the court session, Prosecutor Ledua admitted that the prosecution was unprepared for the trial since their key witness was absent, with only police officers present. Magistrate Prasad expressed his disappointment, indicating that the prosecution’s lack of readiness left him no alternative.
He referenced Section 14 (g) of the 2013 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person’s right to have a trial conducted without unreasonable delays. Due to the prosecution’s setback, the magistrate ruled that there was no case to answer. Vakarisi informed the court that he was nearing the end of his one year and three months sentence, having been the sole individual convicted among eight others involved in the Nabua assault case in 2018. The case was dismissed under Section 170 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009.