Fiji Sun

Tenant on rape charge denied bail

- SHARTIKA NAIDU Edited by Caroline Ratucadra Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

Atenant who allegedly raped his landlady on the weekend in Labasa appeared yesterday in the Magistrate­s Court in Labasa.

The 44-year-old man charged with one count of rape appeared before Magistrate Bimsara Jagodage.

Police prosecutor Constable Abinash Prasad told the court the accused committed the alleged offence on the 55-year-old complainan­t on Saturday while she was alone at her home. Mr Prasad also told the court that the case should be transferre­d to High Court because it was an indictable one and was of public interest since the accused had two previous conviction­s related to drugs.

He strongly opposed that the accused be released on bail.

Legal Aid lawyer Karen Boseiwaqa, who represente­d the accused, told the court that her client was not related to the complainan­t.

She said they would file a bail applicatio­n in the High Court by the High Court in Lautoka. Kanavo is charged alongside Onisimo Raboiliku, Semesa Bulikaloug­ata and Suliasi Tubuna.

The case was called before Judge Justice Chamath Morais.

It was adjourned the case to June 29 for mention.

SALOTE QALUBAU

since her client had no sureties. Magistrate Jagodage agreed and ordered that the accused to be further remanded in custody.

The case has been adjourned to June 5.

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