The bail ruling in relation to the theft cases of prominent Suva lawyer Shazran Lateef will be delivered on Friday by Suva Magistrate Liyange Wikaramasekara.
Lateef has been further remanded in custody.
The bail hearing that lasted for close to two hours this afternoon started with an apology from defence lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo who was late to court this morning.
Vosarogo was not present in court when the case was called at 9.30am.
Magistrate Wikaramasekara accepted Vosarogo’s apology.
In his brief oral submission, the Police Prosecutor said they are objecting to bail because Lateef has four cases which are still pending.
The Prosecution also stressed that Lateef is a prominent figure in this country and this is a case of interest.
While making oral submissions for the defence, Vosarogo said his client is willing to pay cash bail and they leave it to the court to decide the amount.
Vosaroga said his client is a prominent figure and a lawyer but there is equality before the law.
He also said they had prominent members of the community that were prepared to be sureties.
Vosarogo also said if Police are saying that he has breached his bail condition then why have they not charged him.
He also said Lateef has hypertyension which has been confirmed by a doctor.
Vosarogo also said his client was concerned with the conditions at the remand centre.
Lateef also pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft today.
According to charges filed by Police, the 58-year-old allegedly stole three tablets and three mobile phones between December last year and January this year.
The phones and tablets belonged to Vodafone Fiji and were found at Lateef’s home at Nailuva Road.
Lateef has two other cases in the Magistrates Court in relation to unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
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