Seven Police officers enter not guilty plea in court

Seven suspended Police officers, facing a charge of conspiracy, have entered a not guilty plea at the Magistrates Court in Suva.

Solomone Nute, Salacieli Tabalailai, Marika Iranasau, Koroi Lakokilepanoni, Vilikesa Baledruma, Elizabeth Sautu and Romeo Nasila are charged with conspiracy to defeat the course of justice.

The accused appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili yesterday.

Nute, Iranasau, Lakokilepanoni, Baledruma, Sautu and Nasila were represented by lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo.

Tabalailai was represented by lawyer

Nemani Tuifagalele.

It is alleged that on May 5, 2019, the accused conspired with each other to make a false statement in relation to a traffic investigation at the Kadavu Police Station.

State prosecutor Sahil Shiraz told the court that Nute and Nasila had alleged admissions in their caution interview statements.

Chief Magistrate Ratuvili has given time to file voir dire grounds if the accused wished to challenge the alleged admissions. He fixed the hearing to commence on August 21 and conclude on September 4.

The matter has been adjourned for mention on June 19.

Bail for all accused were extended.