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Defence lawyers for the eight men found guilty of plotting to kill Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama are now mitigating before the High Court in Suva before their fate is decided this afternoon.
Justice Paul Madigan will deliver his ruling this afternoon after four weeks of hearing statements from state witnesses and the accused eight, and legal representatives from both sides.
Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, former Pacific Connex employee Sivaniolo Naulago, former Fiji Intelligence Services director Metuisela Mua and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare soldiers Feoko Gadikibau, Barbados Mills, Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Namulo have been found guilty of conspiring to kill the PM.
Lawyer Iqbal Khan submitted in court today that Gadekibau had been in custody for 40 days following his arrest in November 2007 and was subsequently assaulted.
Methodist church minister Sisa Ro Uluilakeba testified that he was shocked when he heard that Gadekibau was arrested for the offence because his character was the exact opposite.
The court was told that Gadekibau was a youth volunteer group leader in his church and was always helpful to others.
Former school teacher Pio Asela said he had known Mills since childhood and he was a reliable, trustworthy, disciplined and very intelligent man.
Paula Baleikaba, a former divisional education officer, said he had worked with Mua on a lot of community development projects.
“Mua is a man of virtue. He has five grandchildren and he always ensures that they do their homework everyday,” Baleikaba said.
Mitigation for the rest of the accused resumes this afternoon.
