Reports from Fiji say that an Australian citizen had his travel documents seized by the Lautoka Court, yesterday.
Abdul Feroz 40, a storeman from Adelaide, Australia pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Salote Kaimacuata for occasioning death by dangerous driving.
Feroz was released on a cash bail of $1000 and ordered to surrender his travel documents.
Feroz, who been living in Australia for the past 18 years, allegedly caused the death of 20-year-old Nileshni Lata on Wednesday.
Prosecutor, Sergeant Shaukat Ali told the court that at about 7.30pm, Feroz was driving a vehicle, BS 008, along the Kings Highway when he struck Ms Lata.
Sgt Ali said Ms Lata had disembarked from a bus and crossed the road when she was mowed down by the accused at Tuvu in Ba.
Ms Lata was taken to the Lautoka Hospital where she passed away later that night.
Ms Kaimacuata told Feroz that since the offence he was charged of carried a maximum fine of $10,000 and a maximum term of 10 years, he had the option of either having his trial before the High Court or Magistrates Court.
He elected a Magistrates Court trial.
While Feroz said he did not have any objections to the surrendering of his travel documents, his only request was that the case be heard as soon as possible.
He said he was in Fiji for a holiday and was to return to Australia today.
However, he said since the accident, he has extended his stay in Fiji by a week.
Feroz said he preferred that his trial be heard sometimes next week.
Ms Kaimacuata ordered Feroz to hand over his passport to the court then adjourned the matter to Thursday for trial.
Report by The Mole
