High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo has ordered the Director of Legal Aid to appear in the case of Josua Colanaudolu who is charged with the abduction, rape and murder of a 14‑year‑old girl in Deuba last year.
The matter was called today for the bail hearing.
Colanaudolu who is charged with 24 counts of abduction, 12 counts of rape, one count of murder and 1 count of indecent assault has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Defence lawyer Mohammed Yunus told the court that he has been asked by his client that he only needs legal aid assistance in order to apply for bail and once granted bail he can look for a private lawyer.
Justice Temo said the accused is facing a serious charge and he will not allow the accused to sabotage this case by dismissing his counsel.
Colanaudolu told the court he will represent himself in the murder charge.
Justice Temo told Colanaudolu that he cannot grant him to represent himself because if he does this, it will be stupid to allow the accused to sabotage his case.
The Judge said he is responsible to the accused, tax payers, the Supreme Court and the people of Fiji.
The prosecution informed the court the accused is a sexual predator and his offences goes back to 1998.
The Assistant DPP told the court that the accused cannot be granted bail.
The defence said the accused has an unemployed wife and baby.
The bail ruling will be delivered on the 20th of this month.
Colanaudolu has been remanded in custody.
