The High Court in Suva has granted a final adjournment date for the pretrial conference of Inoke Qalo Loloma, who is facing murder charges. Loloma’s defense attorney, Shirley Tivao, requested the extension during a session presided over by Justice Thushara Rajasinghe on Friday. The request was made because the primary lawyer handling the case, Susan Serukai, was unable to attend.
Loloma is charged with murder for allegedly punching a 43-year-old man during a drinking party on Christmas Eve last year in Vugalei. During the proceedings, Ms. Tivao noted that State Prosecutor Tevita Naimila expressed a desire to schedule another pretrial conference, but Ms. Serukai was unable to meet this week.
Justice Rajasinghe cautioned Ms. Tivao that repeated adjournments were not permissible, as the case has been pending for over two weeks. Ms. Tivao mentioned that case assignments are being reshuffled, and she may take over the case moving forward.
She stated that Ms. Serukai was hospitalized again on Thursday evening, although she was expected to appear for the proceedings. Consequently, Ms. Tivao has not yet discussed trial strategies with Ms. Serukai and noted that she could not make further decisions on the case as she was still acting on instructions.
The pretrial conference has now been rescheduled for January 31, 2025.