The High Court in Suva yesterday issued a bench warrant for former Roko Tui Rewa, Savenaca Kamikamica.
Mr Kamikamica failed to appear in court to answer to charges of abuse of office brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Commission lawyer Sanjeewa Dissanayake asked for the bench warrant as no explanation had been given for Mr kamikamica’s absence.
Justice Priyantha Fernando granted Mr Dissanayake’s request.
Mr Kamikamica’s lawyer for the day, Semi Ditoko, had asked the court to stand down the matter until his client arrived but Justice Fernando refused.
The matter had been called for a pre-trial conference.
Justice Fernando then adjourned the case to May 27.
Mr Kamikamica is charged with two counts of larceny and one count of obtaining goods by false pretence.
The charges were presented in three separate cases but have been merged.
He is alleged to have embezzled more than $11,000 meant for development schemes from the Fijian Affairs Board.
