THE High Court in Ba has found a 25-year-old man guilty of murder and aggravated robbery over the brutal killing of a Tavua taxi driver in 2024.
Marika Qovuniceva was convicted by Justice Samuela Qica on August 19, 2026, following a trial in the killing of 33-year-old Nitesh Kumar Chand.
The court heard that on June 1, 2024, Qovuniceva and a 16-year-old hired Chand’s taxi from Tavua Town under the pretext of travelling to Matalevu. Near a bridge in Matalevu, the pair strangled Chand with a ligature and repeatedly punched his head and face, causing fatal injuries including a broken jaw and neck fractures.
They then dragged Chand’s body under the bridge, stole his taxi, Wi-Fi device, phone, wallet, and taxi meter, and drove to Suva. Chand’s body was discovered two days later face-down in shallow water.
Qovuniceva claimed in court that he acted under duress and out of fear of the juvenile accomplice, who had already pleaded guilty to the crime last year.
However, Justice Qica rejected the defence of duress, noting that Qovuniceva was older and larger than the juvenile, used his own kitchen knife in the robbery, actively participated in the assault, and shared the stolen proceeds, including selling the taxi meter for $450.
Justice Qica ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Qovuniceva engaged in a joint criminal enterprise to rob and kill the taxi driver.
Qovuniceva has been remanded in custody pending sentencing.
