Magistrate Warns: Don’t Interfere with Police
3 accused who allegedly threatened Police officers in Nadi denied bail.
Any person denying Police to carry out their duty will not be taken lightly, but rather taken to task, the Nadi Magistrates Court heard yesterday. Magistrate Peni Dalituicama did not mince his words when the three accused, Maikeli Nawaqa, 29, of Narewa, Kolinio Vatunitu, 26 of Navoci and Masi Cava, 29, a labourer of Narewa were denied bail. Accused Vatunitu is also charged with one count of serious assault.
They appeared before Magistrate Dalituicama charged with one count of common nuisance. The court heard all three accused were allegedly involved in assaulting and threatening two Police officers who were conducting their operations at Namotomoto, Nadi, on Saturday, at 11.30pm.
The charge was read out to them, which they understood. Police prosecutor Sergeant Francis Bale told the court that they strongly objected to bail because of their actions towards the Police.
“Police were trying to clear a group of men who were causing annoyance at the scene, drinking near a shop at Namotomoto,” she said.
“Upon attending to the complaint, the two Police officers were allegedly sworn at by the three men and threatened. They were threatened to be killed in a similar manner as their comrade who was stabbed last week,” Sergeant Bale told the court.
Magistrate Dalituicama denied the three accused bail and further remanded them at the Natabua Corrections facility.
“Do not interfere with Police when they are carrying out their duties. The Police officers are here to protect Fijians,” Magistrate Dalituicama told the accused.
The case will be called again on November 12 at the Nadi Magistrates Court.