The Director of Public Prosecutions is urging the High Court in Suva to revoke bail for a 27-year-old man accused of striking a police officer with a cane knife.
Vetaia Nalagica, who has six previous convictions, has been charged with acting to cause grievous harm to an officer. The court heard that if Nalagica were convicted, he would likely attend future court dates and face a long custodial sentence.
The application was based on Nalagica’s request to attend to family obligations, but Ms Sharma suggested that granting bail would cause a ruckus, as other accused persons in remand would also demand bail. She requested that Nalagica be remanded in custody for two years or more before the commencement of trial.
Legal Aid lawyer Severo Ravu reminded the court of Section 31 of the Bail Act, which states that every accused person has the right to bail unless it is not in the best interests of justice. The trial date is set for November 11 to 15.
