The group appeared in the magistrates court in Suva yesterday to answer to several counts of robbery.

Only one of them was represented by legal counsel.

The accused are Joshua Rogers, Laisenia Bese, Osea Vakacirivalu and Joseph Nonu.

They face one count each of robbery with violence.

One of them faces a larceny charge while Vakacirivalu faces an additional charge of resisting arrest. Rogers and Bese told the court they waived their right to legal representation.

Vakacirivalu has opted for Legal Aid representation while Nonu already has the services of Legal Aid lawyer Samanunu Vadigi.

The accused persons applied for bail yesterday.

Ms Vadigi told the court her client had been in remand custody for four months now.

She said her client, Nonu had a surety in his brother, a fixed address in Raiwai and would report two times a week to the Raiwaqa Police Station if the court ordered. She argued that he was a student and needed to continue with his studies.

Ms Vadigi said that her client has never been charged with any bail offences.

However, prosecution argued that the group needed to remain in custody due to the seriousness of their offences.