Plea hearing postponed again

The plea hearing in the aggravated robbery case, which resulted in the death of a homeowner in Delailabasa, has been postponed again.

This is the third time the hearing has been postponed, first from April 26 to May 11, and now to June 6. The four accused, Sakiusa Niumataiwalu (28), Jone Sela (28), Apisalome Turuva (37), and Taniela Racule (23), appeared before Judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili at the High Court in Labasa yesterday.

The victim Pram Lal, a 60-year-old businessman was attacked three months ago on January 24.

The first and second accused were represented by their Legal Aid Commission lawyer, Vanesa Boseiwaqa, who informed Justice Ratuvili that they had not received full disclosures as some volumes were missing.

She then requested that the state lawyer, Estin Thaggard, provide the CCTV camera footage, which was obtained by the investigating police officers from a shop.

Ms Thaggard sought clarification as she was not aware of any CCTV camera footage. The third and fourth accused’s lawyer, Kelepi Ratule, then mentioned that beside the victim’s house, there was a shop whose CCTV camera the police had accessed, showing the accused.

Justice Ratuvili advised Ms Thaggard to liaise with the police officers and obtain the proper and full documentation of the disclosures before the next court date.

The first accused, Niumatuwalu, was charged with one count of murder, one count of aggravated robbery, one count of theft of a motor vehicle, and one count of breach of suspended sentencing.

The second accused, Sela, was charged with six separate counts, including murder, aggravated robbery, theft, two counts of suspended sentencing, and escaping from lawful custody.

Turuva and Racule were charged with one count of murder, one count of aggravated robbery, and one count of theft of a motor vehicle.

All four accused are currently remanded in custody at the Labasa Corrections Centre.