A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering a taxi driver in Nausori in 2021. Noeli Jack Tamanikaisau was convicted by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva on Wednesday.
Tamanikaisau faced charges of one count of murder and one count of robbery in connection with the death of 60-year-old Satya Pillay on Qiolevu Road on September 26, three years ago. Court documents reveal that Tamanikaisau, who was only 19 at the time, had entered Pillay’s taxi and directed him to a secluded farm road where he strangled him.
After killing Pillay, Tamanikaisau disposed of the victim’s body in the trunk of the taxi and subsequently abandoned the vehicle, leaving Pillay’s naked body beside the road.
The court has instructed both the prosecution and defense to submit their sentencing and mitigating arguments by September 20. Additionally, Tamanikaisau is facing robbery charges for taking Pillay’s mobile phone and $15 in cash.
The case will be revisited in the next court session, with the sentencing hearing for the murder conviction set for October 1.