Four ordered to reappear
By JYOTI PRATIBHA
Four people facing charges relating to urging political violence have been ordered to appear in court on Monday at the High Court in Suva.
The four include businesswoman Mere Samisoni, former government Minister Mataiasi Ragigia, Apete Vereti Ragigia and Semisi Lasike.
Their case was called yesterday, however, only Samisoni appeared before Judge Justice Salesi Temo while the others were represented by their lawyers.
The defence lawyers told the court that the notice of motion and supporting affidavit of motion was received by their office late Thursday afternoon.
They said they had not been able to get in touch with their clients in time to inform them to appear in court.
Representing Vereti, Aseri Vakaloloma, confirmed that his office received the notice of motion and supporting affidavit at 3.55pm on Thursday and he received the same yesterday.
Lasike’s lawyer, Tobia Ravuniwa, said his office had received the documents but he had not. Acting on the instructions of lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo, Mr Vakaloloma also appeared for Ragigia.
He told the court that his instructions were only to represent Ragigia in court but he was not aware whether Mr Vosarogo had received the documents filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Lawyer Samanunu Vaniqi appeared for Samisoni on the instructions of Queens Counsel, Peter Williams.
Justice Temo told the lawyers that he appreciated “straight talk” and not “lawyer talk”.
Justice Temo said that lawyers needed to be honest when dealing with the courts.
He gave the two lawyers time until Monday to get in touch with their clients and file any responding documents.
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