Police officer accused of indecent assault on bail

A Police officer accused of indecently assaulting a female officer was released on bail yesterday by the Suva Magistrates Court. Saimoni Cakacaka appeared before Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage represented by lawyer, Joseph Daurewa.

Police prosecutor Corporal Luke Qerawaqa served the accused with full phase disclosures in court and objected to Cakacaka’s bail because he was a Police officer. Cakacaka is charged with two counts of indecent assault where he is alleged to have unlawfully and indecently assaulted a female officer by touching her thighs and rubbing his clothed private part on her clothed private part. The alleged incidents happened respectively on March 16, 2016 and March 19, 2017.

Cakacaka’s lawyer, Mr Daurewa, made an application for his client’s bail saying Cakacaka was still a Police officer on the payroll. Mr Daurewa said his client had the right to be considered for bail adding that the paramount consideration was whether Cakacaka was a flight risk and whether or not he would appear in court for proceedings.

Mr Daurewa also said Cakacaka had an outstanding record as a Police officer and had no previous convictions, however he had a pending matter before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili.

While granting Cakacaka bail, Magistrate Liyanage highlighted that the prosecution had only advanced one ground of objection, which was not strong enough to refuse Cakacaka’s bail. Cakacaka was ordered to provide two sureties who would be bonded for $1000 and a travel ban imposed against him.

The case was adjourned to March 13, for Cakacaka’s plea to be heard.