‘Follow the Processes of the Mercy Commission’
Kamikamica advices SODELPA on proper procedure to follow to apply for realease of Naitasiri paramount chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata from prison.
Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has outlined to the Naitasiri Constituency of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) that there was a Mercy Commission procedure that needed to be followed in the quest to apply for mercy for convicted individuals. This was after the constituency requested the Coalition Government for the release of Naitasiri chief, the Turaga na Qaranivalu Ratu Inoke Takiveikata under the Mercy Commission.
SODELPA Naitasiri Constituency president Malakai Vuetibau, in the party’s special general meeting (SGM) last week said the people of Naitasiri had hoped for the Qaranivalu’s
release before the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting on Bau Island next month.
In 2011, the High Court sentenced Ratu Inoke to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of one count of inciting to mutiny.
Ratu Inoke was not eligible for parole after eight years which he had to serve concurrently with his existing sentence of seven years for the conspiracy to murder case. High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar said Ratu Inoke would only be released from prison after March 4, 2019, on a licence and would be subject to recall to continue serving his life imprisonment if he breached any condition of his release.
Mr Kamikamica’s response
Mr Kamikamica said the release of Ratu Inoke was not part of the negotiations by the National Federation Party (NFP), The People’s Alliance and SODELPA.
“There is a process that needs to be followed.
An application must be made that the Mercy Commission will have to follow.”