The Supreme Court has rejected a petition filed by Pauliasi Niusama Saukuru, one of the two men convicted for the violent murder of taxi driver Reginald Singh in Sabeto, Nadi, back in 2015. Saukuru, who was only 16 years old at the time, was charged alongside co-accused Ratubuli Nacegutuilagi, who was 19.
The brutal murder occurred on November 6, 2015, when the pair sought transportation to Nakabuta Village to visit Saukuru’s girlfriend. After hiring Singh’s vehicle, they attacked him en route, with Nacegutuilagi strangling Singh while Saukuru searched for cash. The situation escalated dramatically as they physically assaulted Singh, eventually murdering him and disposing of his body in a nearby sugarcane field.
Following the crime, the two drove off in the vehicle, making stops to wash bloodstains before arriving at Nakabuta Village, where they stayed overnight. Their actions led to their arrest the next morning after their vehicle was flagged by a local resident.
On February 5, 2021, the Lautoka High Court sentenced Saukuru to 10 years of detention after he pleaded guilty to murder and theft. Under the Juveniles Act, decisions regarding his detention were handed to the Minister for Social Welfare. Saukuru, who previously pursued university studies before switching to a Bachelor of Theology program, has since expressed a desire to resume his education while incarcerated.
However, the State contended that the petition regarding his educational opportunities was misplaced, as the authority falls under the minister’s jurisdiction. The Supreme Court, led by President Salesi Temo, affirmed that the initial sentence was lenient given the crime’s brutality and stated that Saukuru must first serve the entirety of his sentence.
The court expressed pain over the tragedy of Singh’s murder, emphasizing the senseless nature of the crime stemming from a simple wish to reach a destination without adequate planning. The Justices observed that despite the harsh circumstances, there remains a possibility for Saukuru to reform and lead a more constructive life post-incarceration.
Ultimately, Saukuru’s plea for special leave was denied and dismissed, leaving the pathway for him to continue his education within the framework established by the juvenile justice system.
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