Devanesh Sharma says Richard Naidu should take plea

Lawyer for the Attorney General, Devanesh Sharma today told the High Court that Richard Naidu should take his plea in the committal proceedings as the initial contempt application was served on 30th June however Naidu’s lawyer, Jon Apted and Fiji Law Society President, Wylie Clarke asked what is the rush.

Sharma says this matter must be dealt with expeditiously.

Apted says they fail to see the rush as the article in question was published in February and no steps were taken since then until now to which Sharma replied that Naidu had 3 to 4 months to take down the post.

Apted together with Filimoni Vosarogo, Laurel Vaurasi, Subhas Parshotam, Hemendra Nagin and Gavin O’Driscoll made conditional appearances for Naidu today.

Clarke informed the judge that they will also file a formal application to intervene in the proceedings.

Clarke says this is a case of public and general importance and it should not be rushed.

Richard Naidu’s counsel has been given time to file an application to set aside the leave granted to bring the committal proceedings against Naidu.

Naidu allegedly posted on his Facebook page a picture of a judgement in a case represented by his associate that had the word 'injunction' misspelt, and then made some comments about he was pretty sure the applicant wanted an injunction.

Also present in court today were Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali, FRIEND Fiji CEO Sashi Kiran, National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad, NFP Vice President Lenora Qereqeretabua.