Prosecution not ready, trial rescheduled
THE trial date for former Fijian Holdings Ltd Group CEO Nouzab Fareed was rescheduled yesterday because the prosecution was not in a position to proceed with the trial.
The case was called before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili.
The State revealed the complainant, Judy Wise, was in South Korea and they needed time to make travel arrangements for her.
In response, defence lawyer Hemendra Nagin said the State had a lot of time to do this because the trial date was set in August.
He said he was surprised travel arrangements were not made.
Mr Nagin said flights had been available for travel and the State had been very slow and relaxed about the case and had not done anything to prepare.
He said if Ms Wise was not present on the next court date, he would either make an application for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw the case or for the court to strike out the matter.
Mr Ratuvili fixed new trial dates from March 15 to March 19 next year.
Mr Fareed is charged with three counts of indecent assault against two female employees of the FHL Group.