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Assessors in the trial of eight men charged with plotting to assassinate Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and other senior government figures in 2007 have been told to put aside their political views while reaching a verdict.
In summing up the case this morning, Judge Justice Paul Madigan said the assessors should “put aside any feelings of sympathy or prejudice for this court has no room for such things. You must arrive at your opinions calmly”.
Justice Madigan also told the assessors not to speculate but to rely only on evidence heard in court.
“When it comes to the facts of the case, it is your judgment alone that counts,” he said.
“In deciding the credibility of a witness, rely not only on what you hear but what you saw and how he responded to cross examination.”
The assessors have retired behind closed doors to come to a verdict.
The accused are Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, former Fiji Intelligence Service director Metuisela Mua, five former Counter Revolutionary Warfare soldiers Feoko Gadekibau, Barbados Mills, Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Romulo and former Pacific Connex manager Sivaniolo Naulago.
They are alleged to have plotted to assassinate Bainimarama, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and then Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
