The 22-year-old man from Navua appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon charged with 22 counts of rape.

The man pleaded not guilty to his 22 counts of charges before Magistrate Ana Rokomokoti.

He asked the Court for a lawyer to be arranged from the legal aid.

Magistrate Rokomokoti has transferred the case to Navua Magistrate Court since the offence took place in Navua and ordered that the man remain in custody due to the seriousness of the crime.

It is alleged that he raped his younger sister 22 times between June 25th and 30th July in 2007.

The case has been adjourned to 27th May.