The Supreme Court of Fiji has reduced the prison sentences of two men convicted of the aggravated robbery and abduction of a taxi driver, while rejecting one of the men’s attempts to appeal his conviction.
In a judgment delivered on October 30, 2025, Justices Anthony Gates, Brian Keith, and Terence Arnold presided over the criminal petition lodged by Asesela Naureure and Moape Rokoraicebe, who were convicted in 2019 for the robbery and abduction of a taxi driver in November 2016.
Justice Keith, delivering the main judgment, noted that taxi drivers are among the most vulnerable members of the community and that the courts have a duty to protect them through strong sentencing.
“Taxi drivers are one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Fiji,” Justice Keith said.
“They sometimes have to take passengers to remote places, often with cash in hand, and are regarded as easy targets. The courts have responded by passing heavy sentences for the robbery of taxi drivers.”
Despite acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, the Supreme Court found that the sentences imposed by the lower courts were too long, and that a “substantial and grave injustice” would occur if leave to appeal against the sentences was not granted.
The court refused Naureure’s application to appeal his conviction but granted both men leave to appeal their sentences.
The justices subsequently allowed the appeal, setting aside the Court of Appeal’s 2023 sentencing orders.
The new sentences for Asesela Naureure is 10 years and 7 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 8 years and 7 months.
Moape Rokoraicebe has a new sentence of 10 years and 5 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 8 years and 5 months.
Naureure had originally been sentenced by the High Court to 13 years’ imprisonment, while Rokoraicebe received 12 years, to commence upon his arrest.
