The High Court in Suva has granted the attorney representing accused murderer Inoke Qalo Loloma, from Vugalei, Lami, a final adjournment for a pretrial conference. Defense lawyer Shirley Tivao appeared before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe last Friday, requesting another adjournment since lead counsel Susan Serukai was unavailable.
Loloma faces a murder charge for allegedly striking a 43-year-old man during a drinking party on Christmas Eve last year in Vugalei. During the court proceedings, Tivao informed the court that State Prosecutor Tevita Naimila expressed a desire to arrange another pretrial conference but that Serukai was unable to meet with them this week.
Justice Rajasinghe cautioned Tivao about the repeated requests for adjournment, noting that the case has been pending for over two weeks. Tivao mentioned that case reshuffling might result in her taking over the case going forward.
She explained that Serukai had been rushed to the hospital the previous Thursday evening and had intended to appear in court. Tivao added that she had not yet had a chance to discuss the trial strategy with Serukai and emphasized that she could not make any further decisions at this stage, as she was only there on instruction.
The case has now been rescheduled for a final pretrial conference on January 31, 2025.