3 Cops, 2 Civilians Denied Bail
Three police officers and two civilians charged with tampering with drug evidence during a police operation were further remanded yesterday.
They appeared before Magistrate Lakshitha Jayawardhana at the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The three officers, Roy Peter John Senibici, Inoke Jeke Tikomaimalevani and Samisoni Ralulu, are charged with one count of interfering with evidence, contrary to Section 37 of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.
All five accused face an additional charge of conspiracy to defeat justice, Contrary to Section 191(b) of the Crimes Act of 2009.
Civilians, Anare Buresolei and Anare Buresolei Vulaki, are charged with one count of aiding and abetting and interfering with evidence, contrary to Section 45 of the Crimes Act 2009, and Section 37 of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.
Charge
Between February 9 and 10, the three officers were accused of interfering with seized methamphetamine during a police operation.
On the same date, being a party to the offence of interfering with evidence, the father-son duo allegedly aided and abetted the seized illicit drug during the operation.
Magistrate Jayawardhana told the court their bail application would be heard at their next hearing, as their lawyers needed to submit the application first.
State prosecutor Naazish Ali objected to bail under Section 19(2) of the Bail Act 2002, citing public interest, community protection, and the likelihood of interference with evidence, witnesses, or affected individuals.
Senibici and Tikomaimalevani’s lawyer, Joji Cakau, argued the prosecutor’s bail objections were weak, as all accused individuals were firsttime offenders and police officers.
Mr Cakau told the court the individuals were serious about applying for bail and were willing to adhere to strict court conditions.
Buresolei’s lawyer, Bolameke Qioniwasa, told the court her client had been in custody for eight days since February 26, and he had a previous case in 2010 that had already been dealt with.
She told the court that Buresolei had one surety and was willing to pay $500 cash bail.
However, Magistrate Jayawardhana said no bail amount had been set yet, so all accused persons must wait.
Ralulu and Vulaki are represented by Legal Aid lawyers Severo Ravu and Navuni Watisoni Tagi.
The case is adjourned to March 19 for a bail hearing.