THE High Court in Suva has issued a bench warrant for a man charged with the attempted murder of police constable Senoveva Tikoduadua after he failed to appear in court yesterday.
Constable Tikoduadua, the daughter of Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua, was struck by a vehicle while manning a police checkpoint in Laqere, Nasinu, in April. The vehicle was allegedly being pursued by police at the time.
Neither the accused, Mr Saimoni Rokotunidau, nor his lawyer, Jerry Dinati, appeared when the matter was called.
State lawyer Katarina Dugan told the court that the office had unsuccessfully attempted to contact Mr Dinati and had written to the Legal Practitioners Unit to obtain his business address.
Mr Rokotunidau is charged with one count each of attempted murder, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, going equipped for theft, serious assault, and refusing to have his fingerprints and photographs taken. He is yet to enter a plea. The case has been adjourned to August 4.
