The High Court in Lautoka has upheld the conviction and nine-month prison sentence of Apimeleki Tola, a former high school teacher and the current Chairman of the Native Lands Commission. Justice Riyaz Hamza delivered the judgment on December 16, stating that Tola’s appeal was without merit and confirming the previous ruling made by the Magistrates’ Court.
Tola was convicted in absentia on September 22, 2025, for two counts of serious assault and one count of damaging property, following an incident that occurred in Lautoka on October 2, 2022. The case involved Tola’s assault on Police Constable Zoheb Alfaaz Ali, his resistance to arrest by Corporal Sanjay Prasad, and the damage caused to a Fiji Police Force vehicle valued at over $5,000.
During the appeal, Tola claimed that the Magistrates’ Court had erred by conducting the trial in his absence, arguing that his constitutional rights were violated. However, the High Court found that Tola had repeatedly failed to appear in court despite being advised of the consequences, which justified the magistrate’s decision to continue proceedings without him. Justice Hamza emphasized that the magistrate had the right to proceed with the trial, especially after Tola had been warned that a lack of attendance without a valid reason would lead to a continued trial.
The judge also addressed concerns about the identification of Tola as the offender, remarking that there was “absolutely no doubt” regarding his identification by police witnesses. The appeal was ultimately dismissed, leaving the stop-departure order and sentence intact. This outcome underscores the court’s commitment to upholding the rule of law while ensuring justice is served.