The Leader of Jezreel Lion of Judah, Jone Cokanauto is now taking the stand in his rape trial.
Defence lawyer Simione Valenitabua confirmed earlier today that they will call seven witnesses and Cokanauto will also take the stand.
He wanted to start off with another witness however High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo told him that he should bring in Cokanauto first as he should not to listen to other defence witnesses before taking the stand.
Cokanauto has told the court that he has eight children and they all live with him in Taveuni.
When asked by Valenitabua, Cokanauto said that he has more than 100 family members in Taveuni.
He said that they are all with him because they are part of his spiritual family.
Earlier today, Justice Temo ruled that Cokanauto has a case to answer to all counts that he is currently facing.
Cokanauto is charged with five counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape.
It is alleged that he committed the offences in Nasinu and Taveuni between 2005 and 2012.
Valenitabua had earlier said that his client, Cokanauto preached well but people had their own interpretations.
Valenitabua said that Cokanauto did not teach anyone to submit themselves sexually for redemption.
While opening the defence case, Valenitabua said that all the complainants said that they consented to the sexual acts as they wanted to be redeemed according to biblical teachings.
He said that there was no false representation.
Valenitabua said that all counts, except count 5 which relates to an alleged rape in Taveuni, are not valid as they have been charged under the Penal Code.
State lawyer Meli Vosawale said that the counts in the case are still valid under the Penal Code.
Vosawale said that the alleged consent was no consent under the law as there were false representations made by Cokanauto.
He said that Cokanauto made false representations using the bible and the victims did not give their real consent.
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