A man accused of murdering a 25-year-old woman in September 2024 was denied his request to represent himself in court yesterday.
Anare Vuli Cilicewa, 25, who is charged with the murder of Shabreen Shain Ali, appeared in the High Court in Suva yesterday before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu.
It is alleged that on September 8, 2024, Mr Cilicewa had a heated argument with the victim, during which he used an object to fatally injure her. Defence lawyer Olive Grace said the accused wanted to represent himself and had withdrawn his application for legal representation from the Legal Aid Commission.
She also told the court Mr Cililewa claimed that he was assaulted by prison officers while in remand.
Justice Bulamainaivalu denied the request as a trial date has been set, and instructed the counsel in carriage, Manisha Singh, to visit the accused in remand and investigate the complaint.
The case was adjourned to February 3.
