The police caution interview of Nai Lalakai contributor, Josaia Waqabaca has revealed in the sedition trial of The Fiji Times and others that Waqabaca wrote a letter to the Nai Lalakai newspaper every Monday and delivered it himself to the Editor, Anare Ravula.
When asked by DPP lawyer, Unaisi Tamanikaiyaroi, the second prosecution witness, Inspector Esili Nadolo said that he prepared a search warrant for the letter written in the Nai Lalakai on the 27th of April, by Josaia Waqabaca. Nadolo said that he took the search warrant to the Fiji Times office where he met Anare Ravula. Ravula then directed Nadolo to Fiji Times Publisher who called his solicitors to be present. They then told the Police Inspector that they will call him when they find the letter.
Waqabaca’s letter was given to Police on 1st July, 2016.
Inspector Nadolo interviewed Waqabaca on the 14th of July, 2016 where Waqabaca confirmed in his caution interview that he was with the Fiji Labour Party for 14 years but he is now on his own as he was planning to set up his own party.
Waqabaca said in the caution interview that he was focusing on iTaukei issues as he said that iTaukei land and fishing rights have been taken away.
When asked in the caution interview who all were behind Waqabaca in the letter writing, Waqabaca said this is what he gathered as he moved around.
Waqabaca also said that he mentions a meeting organised by the Fiji Native Tribal Congress at FTU Hall on the 23rd of April, 2016 in his letter. When asked by Police on who are the leaders of the organisation, Waqabaca said that he only knew Niko Nawaikula.
Waqabaca also said that he mention in his Nai Lalakai letter that the Queens Counsel William Marshall had said that Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum should be taken away to Rotuma.
He said that a letter of protest was given to Sayed-Khaiyum and the translation was put in the letter on the Nai Lalakai newspaper.
Waqabaca also said in the caution interview that another concern is the Muslims can take Fiji as it happened in Bangladesh.
Katonitabua told Assistant DPP, Lee Burney that this was done as concerns were being raised by the iTaukei people from the Nai Lalakai article.
He says that the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs continues to monitor the Nai Lalakai newspaper until today.
Burney then referred to contributor, Josaia Waqabaca’s letter that was published in the Nai Lalakai which said ‘Muslims are not the indigenous of this country. It is a people that have invaded other nations, for example Bangladesh, India, where they killed, raped and abused their women and children. Let us never forget Serua, Lodoni, Namena and Dawasamu which spreads to the 14 provinces.’
Katonitabua says the parcels of land in those areas in Fiji are different in terms of their ownership. He says the Ministry of Lands is working to return those pieces of land to the landowning units.
Fiji Times Limited Publisher Hank Arts and Contributor, Josaia Waqabaca have pleaded not guilty to sedition while Fiji Times Editor Fred Wesley and Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula have pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting sedition.
It is alleged that Fiji Times printed the Nai Lalakai newspaper which contained an article which had content with a seditious intention to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between classes of the population.
The case continues before High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.
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