Dakuidreketi appeals his sentence and conviction in the Supreme Court

Former iTaukei Land Trust Board member Keni Dakuidreketi is now appealing his sentence and conviction in the Supreme Court.

Dakuidreketi was sentenced to six years imprisonment on the 15th of August, 2014 with a non‑parole period of five years by the Suva High Court for five counts of abuse of office for the purpose of gain.

His appeal on his conviction and sentence to the Court of Appeal was dismissed on 14th September 2017.

Supreme Court Judges, Justice Saleem Marsoof, Justice Suresh Chandra and Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare heard his case today.

Dakuidreketi’s lawyer, Wylie Clarke and FICAC lawyer, Michael Blanchflower made verbal submissions to the court.

Clarke informed the court that the three grounds of appeal was public service, intent and excessive sentence.

Blancflower said that for the issue of intent, Dakuidreketi was in the public service in his capacity as a Board Member of NLTB at the time of offence and was also the Director of Vanua Development Corporation Limited Company.

He further said that this is a new ground as this was not raised in the Court of Appeal.

As for the sentence, Blancflower said that the Supreme Court is not a sentencing court and that sentences are not just numerals as it depends on the gravity of the offence.

The Supreme Court informed both the Counsels that it will provide a judgement date after its deliberation.