The hearing for four defendants accused of stealing over SAT$200,000 from a local distributor three years ago has been pushed back to next year. 

Defendants Navneel Nietsh Nair of Fiji, Lagi Autagavaia, Pelepesite Akeli and Tamaalelupe Silva appeared in the Supreme Court this week to set a new hearing date.

Assigned prosecutor Leinafo Taimalelagi Strickland told the court a key witness for the prosecution could not commit to the earlier hearing date and was seeking a new trial date. 

She noted the unavailability of the witness because of study obligations indicating early next year as a suitable time. 

Supreme Court Judge Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma adjourned the matter until 31 March 2025 for trial. Except for Silva, all other defendants were to continue bail. 

Justice Roma queried Silva what had happened to the first lawyer assigned by the court to represent her. 

She replied she had forgotten about the meeting with the lawyer and was now asking for another lawyer under legal aid to represent her. 

Justice Roma told the defendant not to take matters lightly and be mindful that her legal representation is paid by the government. 

Lawyer Alex Sua was then ordered to represent Silva and submit a bail application for the defendant, currently in custody. 

The four defendants had pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them earlier, connected to the misappropriation of an estimated SAT$245,000. 

The alleged offence occurred when the defendants were employed by Tradepac Marketing Samoa.

The defendants are jointly charged with several counts of theft as a servant. It is alleged they dishonestly took cash from bulk cash sales from the company between January 2021 to March 2021.