The High Court in Suva has granted a final adjournment date for the pretrial conference of alleged murderer Inoke Qalo Loloma of Vugalei, Lami. Defence attorney Shirley Tivao represented Loloma’s case before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe last Friday, requesting another adjournment because the primary attorney, Susan Serukai, was unavailable.
Loloma faces a murder charge for allegedly punching a 43-year-old man during a drinking party on Christmas Eve last year in Vugalei. During the hearing, Ms. Tivao informed the court that State Prosecutor Tevita Naimila expressed interest in scheduling another meeting for the pretrial conference, but Ms. Serukai was unable to coordinate with them this week.
Justice Rajasinghe cautioned Ms. Tivao that the court cannot continue to grant adjournments, as the case has been pending a pretrial conference for over two weeks. Ms. Tivao indicated that the cases were being reshuffled, and she might take over the case moving forward. She noted that Ms. Serukai had been hospitalized again on Thursday evening but was expected to represent the matter.
Ms. Tivao stated she had not yet discussed trial strategies with Ms. Serukai, indicating that she was unable to make further decisions at that stage since she was only acting on instructions. The case has now been rescheduled for a final pretrial conference on January 31, 2025.