High Court Judge, Justice William Calanchini will deliver his sentence on notice after hearing submissions on the contempt of court proceeding of Oceania Football Confederation General Secretary, Tai Nicholas.
Nicholas had made public comments about Fiji’s judiciary and later pleaded guilty to the charge of contempt of court.
State lawyer, Robyn’ann Mani asked for a penalty that should also serve as a deterrent.
She highlighted that the guilty plea was made eight months after the proceeding commenced.
Mani said while an apology was made to the Attorney General, Nicholas did not apologize to the court.
Mani said the penalty should include a fine and a public apology which sends out a clear message to the public that such actions will not be condoned.
Nicholas’ lawyer, Dawud Bahadur said his client is willing to make a public apology.
When questioned by the judge, Bahadur confirmed that Nicholas has not apologized to Fiji’s judiciary but he said he is willing to do that.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Praneeta Prakash
