Unemployed ‘foolish’ man in court for alleged post to breach curfew
Suva Magistrate Seini Puamau yesterday told an accused that Fiji does not need foolishness at a time when the country is battling COVID-19.
Twenty-four-yearold Josaia Bulivono
Naitukunivalu was produced in Court charged with one count of Incitement to Violence and Disobedience of the law.
It is alleged that on April 4 without excuse published through his Facebook profile on the Fiji One
News Facebook Live feed on COVID-19 a comment saying “let’s all breach the curfew and see who will rule this country, pathetic.”
His post is alleged to have implied that it is desirable to defeat by unlawful means the enforcement of any written law namely Section 69 (3) and Regulation 2 of the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) regulations of 2020.
Naitukunivalu told Magistrate Puamau that he understood the charge and is unemployed.
Police Prosecutor Ronil Ram served him with full phase disclosures and said the accused is not a flight risk.
Magistrate Puamau asked Prosecution whether aside from Naitukunivalu’s stupidity if he is a threat to the Community to which Prosecutor Ronil said he is not. She then questioned the accused what made him post that comment and whether it was foolishness on his part, further advising him to find something productive to do in his free time.
She said the accused has the right to exercise his freedom of speech however millennials should be careful, and post appropriately not foolishly.
Naitukunivalu was released on $1000 bail bond and his case has been adjourned to June 17 for mention.