NO CHARGES will be laid against any police or military officers who were involved in the arrest of Bau chief Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau last year.
Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde confirmed that in a statement issued a short moment ago, a little over nine months after the arrest on Bau Island on June 7, 2018.
He said Police were alerted to a potential breach of the peace on Bau Island last year when it was learned that the installation ceremony for a new Vunivalu of Bau was to take place despite a direction by the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission for the installation not to proceed.
“The Police had been requested by the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission to prevent the installation from taking place,” Mr Pryde said.
“A security assessment indicated that the situation may become volatile and Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau was arrested as a precautionary measure.
“A Police complaint of criminal intimidation and criminal trespass was laid by Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau as a result of his arrest in June last year.
“Two other people also laid police complaints in relation to the circumstances surrounding the arrest. ”
Mr Pryde said following a review of the evidence, the DPP concluded that the arrest of Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau had been effected lawfully and there was no substance to the complaints.
