Australian national serving 23 years for drug related charges appeals his conviction and sentence

Australian national John Nikolic who was convicted of two counts of possession of illicit drugs, one count of possession of arms and ammunition without a licence and two counts of unlawful importation of illicit drugs is appealing his conviction and sentence.

He appeared before Fiji Court of Appeal Judge Justice Chandana Prematilaka today.

In his grounds of appeal, Nikolic is alleging professional misconduct and incompetencies by his defence lawyers.

DPP lawyer Rajneel Kunar told the court they were also trying to locate Nikolic's wife who was somewhere in the Northern Territory of Australia to serve her appeal papers.

Nikolic was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 years.

Nikolic had imported 12.9 kilograms of cocaine and 34.4 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated value of between $20 million to $30 million.

The case will be called again on 23rd September.