Judge gives time to check validity of CCTV footage in alleged aggravated robbery
Justice Salesi Temo has given the prosecution time to determine the validity of a CCTV footage in an alleged aggravated robbery case.
According to Justice Temo, he said that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were notorious for being unreliable during trials. This is in the case of Kilioni Vatutaqiri, 34, Samisoni Rokoua, 27 and Lemeki Baleitavua, 32, jointly charged with one count of aggravated robbery.
It is alleged that the three men between September 6 and September 7, 2019, at Pacific Harbour, stole jewellery, mobiles phones, three bottles of whiskey, keys, a credit card, NZ$25 and FJ$500 from retired expatriates Corrine Agnos, 62, and Graham Agnos, 75.
Justice Temo said he had seen previously during trials that CCTVs had been unreliable and Fiji’s technology had not reached the level of countries like America.
His comments after prosecutor told the court that the CCTV footage was relevant to Baleitavua while all the accused persons had full admissions in their caution interview statements.
Defence counsels from the Legal Aid Commission told the court that they needed the CCTV footage for Baleitavua’s case only.
The prosecutor told the court that he had yet to confirm whether a CCTV footage existed. The matter has been adjourned for mention on March 19 and the three men were remanded in custody.
Feedback:
National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad has filed a defamation suit against the Fiji Sun, its publisher Peter Lomas and Editor Jyoti Pratibha regarding an article titled “Pants on fire Biman caught out twice”.
He is claiming that the article, which said he had said that all civil servants pay should be reduced by 35 per cent, was false and defamatory.
He says he has suffered loss and damages because of this and still continues to do so.
The only thing I see him losing out on is the support and votes from civil servants. What loss and damages is he specifically talking about?
The reduction of wages of civil servants by 35 per cent is the appropriate thing to be done at this very difficult time. Realistically he ought to be backing that claim instead of refuting it.
Do what is right for the nation Mr Prasad, and not what’s best for your party.