The High Court has granted bail to Emosi Tikoicina, who is accused of setting fire to the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute in Nausori. The case was heard by High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe this afternoon, where strict bail conditions were imposed on the defendant.
Tikoicina is prohibited from interfering with prosecution witnesses and is required to refrain from any criminal activity while on bail. Additionally, he is not allowed to enter the Technical Institute premises.
According to State Counsel Zenith Zunaid, Tikoicina confessed to a friend, who is also a student at the Institute. The defendant entered a not guilty plea in May.
He faces one count of arson, in violation of section 362 (a) of the Crimes Act 2009. The charges allege that on April 7, 2024, in Nausori’s Eastern Division, he deliberately and unlawfully set fire to the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute and its assets.
The case has been adjourned until September 30 for a mention.