The Suva Magistrates Court has denied bail for Ratu Lote Lewaivuna and Sevuloni Lubi, who are jointly charged with two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and unlawful importation of illicit drugs.
The pair appeared before Magistrate Charles Ratakele this morning.
Lewaivuna is also charged with one count of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, after he was allegedly found with $650 believed to be linked to criminal activity.
While ruling on Lewaivuna’s bail application, Magistrate Ratakele said the accused had not provided sufficient or reliable evidence to support his claims regarding HIV risks inside the correctional facility.
He stressed that legal counsel must be allowed access to clients held in remand and that remand centres are required to provide adequate protection measures.
Meanwhile, Lubi’s lawyer was absent from court today, prompting Magistrate Ratakele to instruct Lubi to ensure his counsel is present when the matter is called again.
The case has been adjourned to 9.30am this Friday.
