High Court orders Nasinu Pastor to find a lawyer

The High Court in Suva has advised the Nasinu Pastor facing sexually-related charges to file a complaint against his lawyer Jerry Dinati.

This is after Waisake Tulavu told the court that his lawyer had advised him that he would appear in court, however, Mr Dinati was not present.

Justice Daniel Goundar told Tulavu that Mr Dinati’s practising certificate had expired and it could be the reason he did not attend the court hearing.

Justice Goundar also asked Tulavu whether he had paid the legal fees to his lawyer to which Tulavu responded that he had paid $1500 to Mr Dinati.

Tulavu also told the court that his previous lawyer had the same issue and he had made a payment of $5000 to his previous lawyer. He raised his concerns on the issue of his lawyers not attending court despite him paying a total of $6500 to them respectively.

Justice Goundar then advised Tulavu that he could file a formal complaint to the Legal Practitioners Unit which would be looked into. Justice Goundar also told to Tulavu that he had to find a lawyer to represent him in the matter or he could self-represent.

He advised Tulavu that he could apply to the Legal Aid Commission for legal representation if he wished to, which was free of charge.

The matter has been adjourned to check on Tulavu’s legal representation on June 15.

Tulavu has been further remanded in custody.