Assessors return with not guilty opinion on all charges in Fiji Times sedition trial

Assessors return with not guilty opinion on all charges in Fiji Times sedition trial

By Vijay Narayan and Dhanjay Deo
19/05/2018
Happy with the assessors opinion; contributor Josaia Waqabaca, Fiji Times Limited Publisher Hank Arts, Editor-in-Chief Fred Wesley and Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula with their defence lawyers

All three assessors have returned with a not guilty opinion on all charges against Fiji Times Limited, Publisher Hank Arts, contributor Josaia Waqabaca, Editor‑in‑Chief Fred Wesley and Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula in the Fiji Times sedition trial.

High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe will deliver his judgement at 11.30am next Tuesday.

While summing up the case yesterday, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe told the assessors to read the Nai Lalakai article from the minds of reasonable and fair minded iTaukei readers.

He told the assessors to take into consideration under what circumstances the article was published and to consider the reaction of the readers.

Justice Rajasinghe told the three that he does not find the opinion of Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Naipote Katonitabua and Professor Paul Geraghty will be much help to the assessors as Geraghty has said that he did not have much interaction with the iTaukei community for the last 10 to 15 years as he was mainly teaching while Katonitabua had said that he used to talk to the iTaukei community at times.

He told the assessors to consider the truthfulness of the answers given in the caution interview.

Justice Rajasinghe says there was no investigation done to establish whether contributor, Josaia Waqabaca had given the petition to the Attorney General.

He also asked the assessors to consider the effect of the article on the intended readers and to consider all the circumstances after the publication of the article.

Justice Rajasinghe told the assessors to take as much time as they want because this was a very lengthy trial and also had lengthy closing submissions from both parties.

Fiji Times Limited, Publisher Hank Arts and contributor Josaia Waqabaca have pleaded not guilty to sedition while Editor-in-Chief Fred Wesley and Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula have pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting sedition.

It is alleged that Fiji Times printed the Nai Lalakai newspaper which contained an article which had content with a seditious intention to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between classes of the population.

FEATURE NEWS
Lynda Tabuya will not be the next AG – Rabuka
Following the dismissal of Graham Leung as Attorney General, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that Lynda Tabuya will not be the next Attorney ...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Sayed-Khaiyum and Sagar's PTC to continue on July 3rd
Fijian Broadcasting Corporation’s former CEO, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar's pre-trial conference ...
4 hours ago

Former employee applies for leave to appeal but TFL says proceedings would have continued if trial dates were not vacated
A former employee of Telecom Fiji PTE Limited, Patrick Victor Adrian has applied for leave to appeal while the legal counsel for TFL stresses that ...
4 hours ago

People in Rakiraki hoping for VAT reduction and better sugar price to ease cost of living
People in Rakiraki are hoping for the VAT rate to decrease from 15 percent as it will result in the price of groceries to go down and help the ...
4 hours ago

We are all backing the PM in his bid for re-election - Kamikamica
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica says some discussions are being made around the Commission of Inquiry related to ...
4 hours ago

Navosa district calls on Education Ministry for special schools in Navosa
The Head of School at Natutale Primary School in Navosa, Patemo Tubua, is calling on the Ministry of Education to set up a special school in the ...
9 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Barbara Malimali suspension and dismissal of AG Graham Leung
Barbara Malimali has been suspended with immediate effect as Commissioner of FICAC pending investigation by the Fiji Police Force of allegations ...
3 days ago

Viliame Naupoto on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The candid interview focused on a wide range of issues, including work at the Immigration Department, the shortage of passports, permits, and migrant ...
5 days ago

Asta Sonner and Ratu Inoke on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show focuses on Ratu Inoke Drauna who is the founder of Aruka Fiji - an organization that is self funded to look after the struggling people on ...
5 days ago

TOP