The Supreme Court of Fiji has announced a reduction in the prison sentences for two men, Asesela Naureure and Moape Rokoraicebe, who were convicted of the aggravated robbery and abduction of a taxi driver in 2016. In a ruling made on October 30, 2025, Justices Anthony Gates, Brian Keith, and Terence Arnold addressed the criminal petition filed by the defendants, who were originally sentenced in 2019.
In the judgment, Justice Keith emphasized the inherent risks faced by taxi drivers, describing them as one of the most vulnerable segments of society in Fiji. “They sometimes have to take passengers to remote places, often with cash in hand, and are regarded as easy targets,” he noted, underlining the courts’ responsibility to impose stringent sentences to safeguard this crucial sector.
The court, while recognizing the seriousness of the offenses, determined that the previous sentences handed down by lower courts were excessive, asserting that a significant injustice would transpire if their appeal concerning the length of the sentences was not permitted. As a consequence, Naureure’s initial sentence of 13 years was reduced to 10 years and 7 months, with a non-parole period of 8 years and 7 months. Rokoraicebe’s sentence was adjusted from 12 years to 10 years and 5 months, accompanied by a non-parole period of 8 years and 5 months.
This ruling aligns with a broader trend observed in Fiji’s judicial system, where the courts increasingly recognize the heavy toll that violent crimes against taxi drivers take on the community. For instance, a recent case in Lautoka involved three young men receiving substantial prison sentences for robbing and assaulting a taxi driver, wherein Justice Sekonaia Vodokisolomone highlighted the severe penalties that would be imposed to deter such violent acts.
The development of these cases signifies a growing judicial commitment to not only deliver justice but also ensure rehabilitation opportunities for first-time offenders, as reflected in the actions taken in related cases. The hope remains that individuals like Naureure and Rokoraicebe, through appropriate oversight and support, can learn from their past mistakes and reintegrate into society with better choices in the future.
The revised sentences indicate the courts’ ongoing efforts to balance accountability with the potential for reform, fostering a safer environment for those who provide essential services in Fiji. By emphasizing both the protection of vulnerable communities and the possibility of rehabilitation, the judiciary remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice while promoting a positive trajectory for offenders willing to change.
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