The High Court in Suva has granted a final adjournment for the pretrial conference of alleged murderer Inoke Qalo Loloma from Vugalei, Lami. Defense attorney Shirley Tivao represented Loloma in court last Friday before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, requesting another adjournment as lead attorney Susan Serukai was unable to attend.
Loloma faces a murder charge stemming from an incident at a drinking party on Christmas Eve last year, where he allegedly punched a 43-year-old man. During the proceedings, Tivao informed the court that State Prosecutor Tevita Naimila expressed a desire to arrange another pretrial conference, but Serukai was unavailable this week.
Justice Rajasinghe commented that repeated requests for adjournment could not continue, as this matter has been pending for pretrial conference for over two weeks. Tivao stated that case assignments were being reorganized and she might continue to represent Loloma going forward.
She explained that Serukai had been hospitalized again on Thursday evening, though she was scheduled to appear for the case. Tivao noted she had not yet discussed trial strategies with Serukai, emphasizing she could not make further decisions as she was only representing him based on instructions at that time.
The case has now been rescheduled for a final pretrial conference on January 31, 2025.