The High Court in Suva has scheduled a final pretrial conference for Inoke Qalo Loloma, who faces a murder charge. Loloma, from Vugalei, Lami, is accused of fatally punching a 43-year-old man during a drinking party on Christmas Eve last year.
During a hearing last Friday, defense attorney Shirley Tivao requested another adjournment because the primary lawyer, Susan Serukai, was unavailable. Tivao informed the court that State Prosecutor Tevita Naimila wished to arrange another pretrial conference but noted that Serukai could not meet this week.
Justice Thushara Rajasinghe expressed concern over the repeated requests for adjournments, as the case has been pending for more than two weeks. Tivao mentioned that the legal team was undergoing changes and that she might take over the case moving forward. She also noted that Serukai had been hospitalized recently, which prevented her from attending the hearing.
Tivao added that she had not yet discussed the trial strategy with Serukai and was unable to make further decisions regarding the case in the meantime. The matter has been rescheduled for a final pretrial conference on January 31, 2025.