DEFENCE lawyer Devanesh Sharma is expected to file a no case to answer application today in a case involving former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
The prosecution is expected to close its case today with two witnesses — an investigating officer and an officer from the Cybercrime Unit — in the trial where Mr Bainimarama is accused of directing then acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu to terminate the services of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu for taking pictures of the former PM’s brother and uploading it on a police Viber chat group.
Mr Tudravu was allegedly told he would have to resign if he failed to dismiss the two officers.
Yesterday, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Laisani Tabuakuro, told High Court judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe in Suva that data from Mr Bainimarama’s old iPhone 12 Pro could not be extracted because the phone was reset.
Also on trial is former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho who faces two counts of abuse of office for allegedly reviewing the disciplinary decision made by Mr Tudravu.
Justice Rajasinghe concluded that closing submissions can be held on August 28 if the case is concluded by the end of this week. The trial continues today.