2025.8.29 18-yr-old murder accused to take plea on 5th Sept
18-year-old high school student, Rihaal Kumar, who allegedly caused the death of Sharuf Shaakir Khan at a Suva apartment complex, has been declared fit to take his plea.
Defence counsel Robert Bancod asked Suva High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar to defer the plea as they had just received the disclosures this morning.
Justice Goundar asked the defence counsel how this relates to the plea because these documents are to prepare for trial.
Bancod responded that they were waiting for the psychiatric evaluation report and wanted Kumar to fully understand his charges.
Justice Goundar questioned Kumar if he understood that when the plea is deferred, the trial will also be deferred.
Kumar informed the court that he agrees for the plea to be deferred and understands that this will also defer the trial.
The plea is scheduled for the 5th of September.
Kumar is charged with one count of murder.
2025.8.29 “No drug offender has ever faced life imprisonment in this jurisdiction”, Judge to Justin Ho
Justice Aruna Aluthge yesterday told Justin Ho that his two brothers and a stepsister can take care of his ill father in his absence.
Sentencing Justin Ho to life imprisonment, Justice Aruna Aluthge said as a born Catholic, “you were actively engaged in community services and church work.”
:You provided employment opportunities to 10 Fijian youths. However, you opened the business as a cover to carry out illegal activities and exposed the youths to the drug trade, putting their lives at risk.”
“You have breached the trust reposed in you by your employees.”
Addressing Ho’s personal circumstances and mitigation plea, the judge said ‘you are young, 34 years of age, and looking after your sickly father.
“Even for a most serious drug offender, his or her personal circumstances do matter. But I do not find any mitigating features in your personal circumstances. You have two brothers and a stepsister. They can take care of your father in your absence.”
Justice Aluthge also reflected on Ho’s sports background, which would not influence leniency.
“You had a promising track record in soccer and squash. At one time, you were Fiji’s No. 1 squash player under 9, 12, and 17 categories.”
“Unfortunately, you decided to ruin not only your bright career but also that of the youths who worked for you.”
“Your status as a sports celebrity is not going to help you in any way, as the business you ventured into had the potential of destroying Fiji’s entire young generation. You abused your position as a sports celebrity.”
Highlighting the severity of the offense, Justice Aluthge observed life imprisonment is prescribed by the Extradition and Drugs Control Act and by the guideline judgment for anyone who is in possession of or imports illicit drugs exceeding 1 kilogram.
“You imported and possessed more than 4,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. No drug offender has ever faced life imprisonment in this jurisdiction.”
Justice Aluthge imposed a non-parole period of 30 years.
“You are eligible for parole after serving 30 years in the correctional facility.”
“Rehabilitation receives less consideration for primary drug offenders of this magnitude.”
“Fiji is increasingly becoming a hot spot for drug trafficking, and therefore general and specific deterrence must be the primary considerations in setting the non-parole period.”
“Denunciation and public protection are also important considerations.”
“Although you have spent nearly 14 months in remand, I am unable to give any discount on that account for two reasons. First, you have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Second, you breached bail conditions and tried to escape whilst on bail to prevent the course of justice.”
High Court Justice Aruna Aluthge has sentenced Justin Ho to life in prison.
He has been given a non-parole period of 30 years.
Ho was found guilty on multiple counts of drug importation and possession, identifying him as the “main beneficiary” and “controlling authority” behind the sophisticated transnational drug operation.
While convicting him last month, Justice Aluthge said the evidence presented confirmed that Ho, along with co-accused David Heritage, masterminded the shipment of the record-breaking consignment of methamphetamine into Fiji.
The court heard that Ho directed a multi-layered criminal network, with his attempt to flee the country with two co-accused after police investigations began further solidifying his central role. A large sum of cash found on Ho at the time of his arrest was cited as evidence of his alleged leadership in the escape plan and as a beneficiary of the illicit drug activity.
Cathy Tuirabe has been jailed for 15 years imprisonment, eligible for parole after 12 years in prison.
She was identified as a “lower-tier” offender in the drug syndicate, responsible for handling and processing the drugs.
She pleaded guilty before the trial began, admitting to her role in the operation. Evidence presented in court, including testimony from other co-accused, revealed that she was involved in the physical packaging of the drug containers.
During her testimony, Tuirabe stated that she was recruited by Sakiusa Tuva to assist with the operation.
She admitted to being paid to guard the contents of a house in Nadi and to packaging the drugs for transport.
She also testified that she and co-accused Ratu Osea Levula were instructed to act as a couple to avoid suspicion while handling the drugs.
2025.8.28 D-Day for drug syndicate, sentencing today in 4.15-tonne meth case
Nine people convicted in Fiji’s 4.15-tonne methamphetamine case will be sentenced in the Lautoka High Court today.
The sentencing is scheduled for 12pm today before Justice Aruna Aluthge.
They were convicted last month and State prosecutors submitted recommended starting sentences based on their levels of culpability in the massive drug trafficking operation.
The court’s sentences are expected to reflect the severity of the unprecedented drug seizure and serve as a deterrent.
For top tier offenders, a starting sentence of 50 years was recommended for ringleaders Justin Ho, David Heritage, and Jale Aukerea, citing their key roles in the operation.
A starting sentence of 30 to 35 years was suggested for Louie Logaivau and Sakiusa Tuva.
A starting sentence of 25 years was proposed for Aporosa Davelevu, Osea Levula, Cathy Tuirabe, and Viliame Colowaliku.
The prosecution had argued that the 4.15-tonne shipment, with a purity of 70–80%, was one of the largest in the Pacific and posed a severe threat to Fiji.
Legal framework: Fiji’s Illicit Drugs Control Act sets a minimum sentence of 20 years for trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamine, with the possibility of life imprisonment.
2025.8.28 Minister Naivalurua welcomes sentences in $2B meth case
Minister for Policing, Ioane Naivalurua has hailed the sentencing of nine individuals in the country’s largest-ever drug case as a “defining moment” in the fight against transnational organised crime.
The convictions stem from the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine worth over $2 billion.
The jailed are individuals are Justin Ho, David Heritage, Louie Logaivau, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Sakiusa Tuva, Jale Aukerea, Ratu Osea Levula, Cathy Tuirabe, and Viliame Colawaliku.
“This verdict sends an unmistakable message: Fiji will not stand by while illicit drugs infiltrate our communities and endanger our future,” Naivalurua said.
“No one is above the law, and no status or connection will shield anyone from justice.”
“To those involved in the drug trade and drug abuse, hear this message clearly: drugs will destroy your future, damage your health, and tear families apart,” he warned.
He urged individuals facing addiction to seek help, highlighting the availability of free HIV treatment and support services.
“Support is there. HIV is treatable. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Your life matters.”
—
2024.7.8 Court discharges 5
THE High Court in Lautoka has discharged five people charged in relation to the 4.1 tonnes of methamphetamine found in Nadi in January.
The five are Isaac Lesiyanawai, Michael Pickering, Iosefo Roqica, Maika Yabakivou and Nancy Mateyawa.
The five were part of the 15 charged with unlawful importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime relating to the importation and transportation of the illicit substances valued at more than $2billion.
The group appeared before High Court judge Justice Aruna Aluthge.
The State was represented by acting DPP John Rabuku and DPP senior State counsel Joeli Nasa. Mr Rabuku filed an anomaly against five of the accused on various counts they were charged under on the consolidated information.
Defence lawyer Mark Anthony requested that his client, Isaac Lesiyanawai, be given his passport and cash. An unconditional discharge was granted to Mr Lesiyanawai after representations given to the DPP by his lawyer.
Mr Rabuku did not object and requested the court that the police release all personal items seized from the accused.
Mr Rabuku said of the five, three have been granted immunity. They are Maika Yabakivou, Nancy Mateyawa and Iosefo Roqica.
He said it was important as the State would be disclosing the statements recorded from these accused persons to the defence in due course.
Mr Rabuku said there were 200 documents that needed to be disclosed, including photographs, and three statements from those granted immunity. Defence lawyer Iqbal Khan, who is representing some of the accused, requested the court that the documents also be given to them to prepare for bail.
The acting DPP also requested that the State be given three weeks to review the documents and photographs.
However, Justice Aruna Aluthge objected, saying he would only give them 14 days, and that the matter would be called for mention on April 18. Justice Aruna Aluthge adjourned the matter to May 3 for a plea.
发表回复