Judge to sum up Vakadranu’s case tomorrow

High Court Judge Vincent Perera will sum up the case of the 75-year-old leader pastor of Back to Eden Church Ministry Iowane Vakadranu at 2.30pm tomorrow before the assessors retire behind closed doors to deliberate on their decision.

The prosecution and defence have made closing submissions in the rape trial.

State prosecutor Siteri Navia told the assessors that consent is not voluntary if it is obtained by misrepresentation.

Navia said that the first witness had consented to have sexual relations with the pastor because she believed in him.

The prosecution says the pastor made a false and fraudulent representation that allowed the first witness to consent to the act and she believed him.

Navia says the second witness agreed that she did not give consent to the act.

While touching on the issue that the witness did not shout or complain to anyone, Navia said the reason given was that she viewed Vakadranu as her pastor and she followed what he said.

The prosecution asked the assessors to consider that we believe in a certain faith or religion and we have leaders of our faith.

Navia says these people guide the followers and they respect them.

She told the assessors to put themselves in the shoes of the witnesses, consider pastor Iowane Vakadranu preaching to the members of the church that committing adultery is not allowed, he is asking them not to go to the doctor or school and he is exempted from all the teaching in the church.

Navia stresses that the pastor made false representation to the two state witnesses for his own benefit, and she has proven all counts of rape beyond reasonable doubt.

Defence lawyer Semi Tinivata says the evidence provided by the witnesses has not proven the state’s case.

He says the law demands the prosecution to prove all counts of rape.

The defence lawyer stresses that they were adults and old enough to give consent.

Tinivata says the first state witness said that it was her own consent and her own choice.

He says that the witness said she made the decision with a clear conscience and her father had also consented.

Tinivata says the witness had no regrets and quoted from the bible.

He says the second state witness stated that while she was a member of the church, she was giving sermons and she was preaching without believing in it.

Tinivata said when she was asked what the pastor had taught her, she said all good things.

The defence lawyer says the second witness had refused to have sex with Vakadranu but she later consented to the sexual act.

He says the witness had walked to the bed and then had sex with the pastor without being forced.

Tinivata says that the woman could have reported the matter but for two years, she kept holding a church leadership role.

He highlighted that the woman was leading prayer meetings for two years and did not report the matter.

He says the second witness only reported the matter because the mother complained to the police.

Tinivata maintains that Iowane Vakadranu is not guilty.

Vakadranu is charged with 4 counts of rape.

The alleged incidents occurred between 1st October, 2012 to 31st August, 2014 in Labasa and Tailevu.