A man facing charges in the High Court was instructed by Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu to physically bring his lawyer to court after the lawyer failed to show up for the second time. Manasa Bulaisea Qalotaki is accused of burning down his father’s house, but his attorney, Jerry Dinati, was absent from the proceedings.
State prosecutor Zenith Zunaid informed the court about Dinati’s repeated absence, indicating that this was not the first instance of neglect in representing his client. Qalotaki expressed frustration, stating that he had attempted to contact his lawyer multiple times without any response, despite continuing to pay for his legal services.
Justice Bulamainaivalu emphasized the importance of physically bringing Dinati to court, stating, “I did not tell you to call him, I told you to grab his hand and bring him here.” He pointed out that the court is a serious matter and not a casual setting for idle conversation.
Additionally, Zunaid revealed that Dinati’s previous absence had resulted in a $500 fine for two separate days he was late in another case. The court has ordered Qalotaki to ensure Dinati is present for the next session on October 30.