CCF to defend case
Citizen Constitutional Forum Executive Director Reverend Akuila Yabaki (left) with lawyer John Apted outside court yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR
By JYOTI PRATIBHA
The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum Limited (CCF) and its Executive Director, Reverend Akuila Yabaki, were yesterday given 42 days to file their defence submission in the contempt of court case.
At the High Court in Suva, Justice William Calanchini heard the proceedings.
Suva lawyer Jon Apted told Justice Calanchini that they wanted to file affidavits to reply to the contempt of court charge brought against them by the Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Mr Apted said he was representing the CFF and Yabaki in the case.
He said preparing for a defence would be a bit difficult because his client was leaving for the United Kingdom and later to Geneva.
He requested 42 days to file their affidavit.
In response, Ropate Green from the Attorney-General’s Chambers said that in the interest of all parties, it was essential that the case be dealt with quickly.
He said it was in the best interest of Fiji that the matter was heard quickly because of the initiative taken by the Government to take the country forward.
Mr Apted said the charge against CCF was serious and Yabaki and the CCF should be allowed the fairest chance to defend themselves.
Justice Calanchini agreed that time be given.
He said there was some contempt of court proceedings already before the court and those proceedings had started in February.
Defence was then allowed 42 days to file and serve their response and a further 21 days to the applicants to respond.
The case has been adjourned to October 5 where a plea is expected to be taken. The contents of an article titled the “Rule of Law Lost”, which was published in the April 2012 edition of Tutaka, the quarterly letter of the CCF, is the subject of the alleged contempt proceedings.
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