Former Land Force Commander Pita Driti will be sentenced at 3pm today by High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan.

Driti has been convicted of the charge of inciting to mutiny which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

Written submissions have been presented by Driti’s lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo and DPP lawyer Mosese Korovou.

Speaking in the packed court room, Vosarogo confirmed that they will not call any character witnesses for Pita Driti and they want a suspended sentence to be handed to Driti.

He said that they will rely on the written submission which includes Driti’s service record, that he had resigned from his position and from the commissioned rank when asked in October 2010, he is a first offender, he is remorseful for his actions and no mutinous act evolved after the offence.

Vosarogo also said that Driti has failed to get employment since October 2010 and his wife is the sole bread winner of the family. 

When asked by the judge on whether he has tried to get a job, Vosarogo said that Driti has tried to get work but has been unsuccessful.

Justice Madigan said that there is no doubt that Driti had an exemplary career. 

He also said that the charge deals with inciting to mutiny and mutiny is a separate charge when Vosarogo said that it has to be taken into account that no mutinous act occurred.

The High Court Judge also said that Driti did not have a choice when he was asked to resign from his position by the Army Commander after the offence. 
 
He asked if Driti was getting any occupational pension.

Vosarogo then spoke to Driti and replied that he was on the FNPF pension and was still waiting for a payment from the RFMF which is yet to be made.

Vosarogo asked that the sentence starts at the lower part of the spectrum.

DPP lawyer Mosese Korovou has submitted that the sentence should be more towards the higher end of the spectrum.

Justice Madigan said he will go through the submissions and deliver the ruling this afternoon. 

Stay with us for that. 


Story by: Vijay Narayan