31-year-old Laitia Nalawa who is charged with raping a 9-year-old girl in Nakasi appeared in the Nasinu Magistrates Court earlier today.
Nalawa is charged with rape, assault with intent to rape, theft and burglary.
The charges were read to him and he waived his right to legal representation.
The state made following applications for the matter to be transferred to the High Court as rape is an indictable offence, a name suppression of the complainant and Nalawa to be remanded in custody.
The court granted all these requests.
Nalawa is in custody and will appear in the High Court on the 7th of August.
More than 60 police officers escorted Laitia Nalawa to the remand centre.
About 200 people were present outside the Nasinu court when the case was called this morning.
