The High Court in Suva has granted a final adjournment for a pretrial conference involving Inoke Qalo Loloma, who is charged with murder. Defense lawyer Shirley Tivao represented Loloma’s case last Friday before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, requesting the delay due to the absence of the lead attorney, Susan Serukai.
Loloma faces one count of murder stemming from an incident where he allegedly punched a 43-year-old man during a drinking party on Christmas Eve last year in Vugalei. During the proceedings, Tivao mentioned that State Prosecutor Tevita Naimila had expressed a desire to meet for another pretrial conference, but Serukai was unable to join this week.
Justice Rajasinghe cautioned Tivao that repeated adjournments are not acceptable, as the case has been pending a pretrial conference for more than two weeks. Tivao noted that there is a possibility she will take over the case moving forward, as Serukai was hospitalized on Thursday evening but was expected to appear for this matter.
Tivao indicated that she had not yet discussed the trial strategy with Serukai and stated she could not make definitive decisions regarding the case at this time. The final pretrial conference has been scheduled for January 31, 2025.