The matter of Jone Vakarisi was called today before Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
The State made an application for abatement of proceedings due to the death of Mr Vakarisi.
The court requested medical cause of death certificate.
The State obtained the same after approval for release of the certificate was granted by the Director CID and submitted it in court.
Upon consideration of the medical evidence, the Court granted the abatement application and the matter has now been closed.
This matter is a review of the sentence imposed earlier this year by the Suva Magistrate’s Court after Mr Vakarisi pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and damaging property committed in 2023.
He was sentenced to an aggregate term of three months, suspended for two years.
Mr Vakarisi earlier this month was given time to go through the state’s submission and give his reply.
The matter was originally listed for hearing this morning.
