17 January, 2026, 10:58 am Central - 27°C Rain

Ruling on Mara’s no case to answer application to be delivered on 25th November

Ruling on Mara’s no case to answer application to be delivered on 25th November

By Naveel Krishant
28/10/2020
Solo Mara (left) with his lawyer. [Image: file]

Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili will give his ruling in the no case to answer application by former Fijian Ambassador to the US and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Solo Mara on the 25th of November.

Both counsels made their submissions today.

Mara’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma told the court that there was no breach of search warrant adding the night search conducted on the 24th of January this year was illegal as there was no instructions to conduct the search at night.

Sharma says the search warrant cannot be used as a authority to question a suspect about a password of a personal email.

He added that all FICAC witnesses testified that Mara did not resist any part of the search warrant.

Sharma told the court that FICAC failed to provide any evidence that Mara gave a false password.

FICAC lawyer Sam Savumiramira says they reject the allegations made by Sharma against their case.

Savumiramira says they believe they have admissible evidence that can lead to conviction.

He adds that there is no evidence that Mara called his lawyer adding that the FICAC Act enables their officers to how to execute their duties.

Mara is charged with one count of Disobedience of Lawful Order and one count of Giving False Information.

According to the charges by FICAC, Mara allegedly disobeyed a search warrant on 24th January this year.

FICAC also accuses Mara of giving false information to a FICAC officer between the 22nd and 23rd of January this year.


FEATURE NEWS
Ageing fleet and rising costs threaten Fiji’s inter-island transport
Ageing vessels and skyrocketing costs are putting Fiji’s inter-island transport network under serious strain, raising alarms about the future of the...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Harry Styles confirms new album 'Kiss All The Time', set for March release
The wait is over for Harry Styles fans.He he has announced his return to music.The pop star has been teasing fans since December with cryptic ...
6 minutes ago

Lakeba Airport runway expansion considered to boost Lau tourism
The Government is exploring the expansion of Lakeba Airport’s runway to accommodate an ATR-42 aircraft as part of broader efforts to boost ...
28 minutes ago

TSLS launches self-service guarantor delisting kiosks at Nadi Airport
The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service has launched two new Self-Service Guarantor Delisting Kiosks at the International Arrivals Concourse at ...
2 hours ago

New evacuation centre to safeguard Maumi Village from disasters
Residents of Maumi Village in Bau, Tailevu, now have a safe and accessible refuge during disasters following the opening of a new multi-purpose ...
2 hours ago

New $7M project aims to strengthen women’s resilience in the Pacific
Oxfam in the Pacific has today launched the Pacific Oceanic Women Enhancing Resilience Project and has received $7 million from the Government of ...
18 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
15 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
26 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
26 days ago

TOP