The High Court in Suva has directed Veronica Malani to ensure her lawyer is present at the next court session to establish a hearing date. During a recent appearance before Justice Usaia Ratuvili, Malani was without her attorney, Sitiveni Raikanikoda, who was attending another case at the Nasinu Magistrate’s Court.
Defense lawyer Ronal Singh expressed frustration, noting that they had already submitted their motion to strike out the case and were prepared to set a hearing date, highlighting that this absence was not an isolated incident. He remarked that even in Mr. Raikanikoda’s absence, he failed to propose any potential dates for the hearing.
The Attorney-General’s office now has 14 days to submit their application to dismiss Malani’s claim of $800,244 million. In a related note, lawyer Mohammed Saneem indicated that his team was not ready to pursue the same application, as it had not been adequately prepared.
Justice Ratuvili has rescheduled the case for next Wednesday, when a hearing date will be determined. Malani’s lawsuit targets eleven individuals linked to the inquiry into the 1987 bombing case, seeking a substantial claim of $800,244 million.
This situation underlines the complexities and nuances often present in legal proceedings, where representation and timely communication can significantly impact outcomes. The judicial process aims to ensure both parties have their chance to present their case, and the upcoming session is a crucial step towards resolving this long-standing matter. It’s a reminder of the importance of legal representation in navigating the intricacies of the law.
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