DPP appeals Chief Magistrate’s rulings
By SITERI SAUVAKACOLO
The Director of Public Prosecutions made two applications to appeal the ruling of Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili in the case of businesswoman and politician, Mere Samisoni and three others yesterday.
State lawyer, Ilisapeci Whippy, told High Court judge Justice Prabaharan Kumararatnam that they would be filing an interim stay application on the ruling of the Chief Magistrate.
Ms Whippy submitted before the court for a suspension of the orders by Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili and have the ruling suspended in the meantime.
Chief Magistrate Ratuvili had earlier ruled that Samisoni, Mataiasi Ragigia, Semisi Lasike and Apete Vereti be allowed to travel anywhere around the country.
However, he ordered that they report to the nearest police station of their whereabouts.
Ragiagia’s lawyer, Filimone Vosarogo, said the state had to first outline what was the lawful basis of the case being brought before the High Court.
He submitted that there not be any interim stay to Chief Magistrate Ratuvili’s ruling and for the court to provide a clear timetable.
Mr Vosarogo said the state must accept that proper procedures were fair to both parties.
He asked for time to be given to the defence to file affidavits.
Meanwhile, Samanunu Vaniqi who represents Samisoni agreed with the motion by Mr Vosarogo that an interim stay should not be given as yet to the four accused. The case was adjourned to Monday for defence to file their objections regarding the interim stay application by the state.
Samisoni, Ragigia, Lasike and Vereti each face a count of urging political violence.
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