Three police officers facing assault charges are set to return to the Suva Magistrate’s Court on August 8. Eroni Matanikoroca, Elia Sioweli, and Moape Tau Tikomailepanoni are accused of assaulting two young men, aged 16 and 19, who were in a van reportedly playing loud music. The officers allegedly took the youths to a police post where they were searched and assaulted. The court has indicated that both the officers and the complainants are interested in reconciling. DPP lawyer Hezekiah Nofaga has provided the teenagers’ statements as ordered by the court, and the officers’ bail has been extended.
In another case, former parliamentarian Peceli Vosanibola will learn on August 7 whether he has a case to answer. The matter was discussed last week regarding FICAC lawyer Joseph Work’s response to the no-case-to-answer submissions submitted the same day. Magistrate Pulekeria Low will deliver the ruling after reviewing submissions from both sides. Vosanibola is charged with giving false information to a public servant and obtaining financial advantage, with allegations that he falsely claimed his residence as Navuloa Village in Bureta on Ovalau between August 2019 and March 2020, resulting in a financial gain of $19,749.50.
Additionally, a 24-year-old man, Thakor Hari Punja, charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs, has received all requested documents from the police prosecution. Appearing before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in Suva last week, the police stated that the necessary disclosures were prepared for defense lawyer Iqbal Khan. The court granted Mr. Khan 28 days to review the documents before the next court date, reminding him to coordinate with the police regarding issues related to the caution interview. The pre-trial conference’s second phase will take place at the next hearing. Mr. Punja faces three counts of possession of illicit drugs, specifically 0.841 grams of methamphetamine, 5.447 grams of cocaine, and 16.6 grams of cannabis, allegedly possessed on May 11.