Manaqewa v State; Tuinasakea v State [2014] FJCA 148; AAU0057.2014; AAU0060.2014 (19 September 2014)

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL
[On Appeal from the High Court]

Criminal Appeal No. AAU0057 of 2014
[High Court Case No. HAC 59/13Labasa]

BETWEEN:

JOSESE MANAQEWA; and
RATU FINAU BULIVOLIVOLI
Appellants

AND:

THE STATE
Respondent

Counsel : Ms N. Nawasaitoga for Appellants
Mr. L. Burney for Respondent

Criminal Appeal No. AAU0060 of 2014
[Magistrates Court Case No. 1236/11]

BETWEEN:

JOSUA TUINASAKEA
Appellant

AND:

THE STATE
Respondent

Coram : Basnayake JA
Goundar JA

Counsel : Mr. M. Yunus for Appellant
Mr. V. Perera for Respondent

Date of Hearing : 19 September 2014
Date of Ruling : 19 September 2014

JUDGMENT

[1] These three appellants seek leave to abandon their respective appeals. They are represented by counsel who have filed Notice of Abandonment of Appeal on their behalf. The Notices are signed by the appellants.

[2] We conducted a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the appellants' decisions to abandon their appeals. We have been told that the appellants made the decisions to abandon their appeals after seeking legal advice.

[3] After hearing the appellants and their counsel, we are satisfied that the appellants have made their decisions to abandon their appeals freely, competently and without mistake.

[4] We grant them leave and dismiss their appeals.

.................................
Hon. Justice E. Basnayake
JUSTICE OF APPEAL

.................................
Hon. Justice D. Goundar
JUSTICE OF APPEAL

At Suva
19 September 2014

Solicitors:
Office of the Legal Aid Commission for Appellants
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for State