Judge To Rule On Review Bid
The ammunition was allegedly found inside a purple Adidas bag which was hanging on a wall. Thirteen bullets were allegedly packed inside an empty BH10 cigarette packet and nine were wrapped inside a blue plastic bag.
A High Court judge will deliver his judgment next Tuesday on the review application filed by the lawyer for a Suva musician charged with possession of ammunition. Samuela Waqa, 55, is charged with one count of possession of ammunition without a licence and the review application is before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.
It is alleged that on March 7, 2018, after a police raid, 22 9-millimetre live bullets were found in his home in Domain Road, Suva.
The ammunition was allegedly found inside a purple Adidas bag which was hanging on a wall.
Thirteen bullets were allegedly packed inside an empty BH10 cigarette packet and nine were wrapped inside a blue plastic bag. Defence lawyer Iqbal Khan said his bail application before Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama contained grounds in that the accused should be granted bail because he was kept for more than 48 hours. He added that the maximum sentence for such a case was five years behind bars or a fine.
Mr Khan stressed that they were planning to take a progressive approach.
State lawyer Unaisi Tamanikaiyaroi said in refusing the accused’s bail Magistrate Bodaragama had to take into account the likelihood that the accused would not surrender to court, the accused’s interest and the public interest or protection of the community. Ms Tamanikaiyaroi said charging the accused was lawful and the determination of his bail was correct.
The court heard that the accused had 15 previous convictions, two of which was within the past 10 years.
Mr Khan had no objections to have the previous convictions report tendered in court.
The accused has been further remanded in custody and the case has been adjourned to March 27, 2018, for judgment.