A young couple from Nausori has appeared in the High Court in Suva, facing serious charges related to the alleged sexual violation and trafficking of their underage niece. The man is charged with two counts of rape, while both he and his wife face charges of domestic trafficking in children, with the case being sanctioned by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecution claims that the couple took their 14-year-old niece to a hotel room in Nausori, where the woman allegedly groomed the girl before the man sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions. Upon their court appearance earlier this month, both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the proceedings on December 11, State prosecutor Zenith Zunaid provided the court with additional disclosures, including a transcript from the couple’s video-recorded interview. Justice Dane Tuiqereqere has granted an extension of the couple’s bail and adjourned the case to January 22 of the coming year.
This case highlights the pressing issues of child protection and the severe repercussions of such actions on the lives of vulnerable individuals. The court will continue to monitor the proceedings closely as the legal process unfolds.