THE State has until Monday to file closing written submissions in a case involving Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) PTE Ltd.
The matter was called yesterday at the Suva Magistrates Court for oral submissions and was presided via Skype by magistrate Seini Puamau.
State lawyer Shelyn Kiran told the court their submissions were delayed because the defence had filed their submissions late.
Defence lawyer David Toganivalu confirmed they filed late submissions.
Ms Puamau also told the State that this was a case of public interest and they needed to be clear on the direction it would take.
Freesoul is charged with one count each of undertaking unauthorised developments and of failure to comply with a prohibition notice.
It was alleged that between June 8, 2017 and December 6, 2018, on Malolo Island, Freesoul carried out development activities on dry land and the foreshore facing Wacia and also on the dry land and foreshore facing Qalilawa without an approved environment impact assessment (EIA) report.
It was also alleged the company failed to comply with a prohibition notice issued on June 1, 2018.
Ms Puamau gave the defence until February 19 to file their responses to the State’s submissions and fixed another hearing on February 22.
The ruling will be delivered on February 26.
