THE Nasinu Magistrate’s Court has ordered a contractor to pay $8550 in unpaid vehicle rental charges following a civil suit over a breached hire agreement.
Magistrate Jone Bale delivered judgment in favour of military officer Emosi Kasura Lee against Sailosi Naikelekelevesi, owner of Kaibua Construction Investment Ltd.
The court heard that on July 4, 2021, Mr Lee hired a motor vehicle to Mr Naikelekelevesi for $350 per week for use in his contracting business.
However, Mr Naikelekelevesi failed to pay rental charges from November 21, 2022, until Mr Lee recovered the vehicle on July 2, 2023.
The matter proceeded to trial in the defendant’s absence after he failed to file a defence or appear in court.
While Magistrate Bale awarded Mr Lee the $8550 outstanding rental debt, he dismissed additional claims of $1560 for repair costs, $830 for Land Transport Authority fines, and $100 for towing expenses due to a lack of supporting documentary evidence and mechanical reports.
Mr Naikelekelevesi was also ordered to pay $1200 in court costs within 30 days.
