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Who is Navin Naidu? That's the question legal circles in Fiji were asking on Wednesday, after rebel leader George Speight announced that he will be his new legal representative.
Speight had told Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo, that Naidu, from the United States of America would represent him and his brother Jim, after the withdrawal of Rabo Matebalavu as lawyer.
According to local media reports, members of the Fiji Law Society, law firms and the director of public prosecutions' office claimed they had not heard of Naidu.
While some reports said that he was a Fiji citizen, who has practised law in Fiji, the US Embassy public relations officer, Nirmal Singh, claimed that he was a US citizen. Some other reports said that he was Indian born.
According to the Legal Practitioners Act, all lawyers from other jurisdictions have to apply for temporary admittance in the high court, before they can practise here.
Other reports also said that Speight was denied permission to meet his new lawyer, at the prison island of Nukulau.
Speight had asked the court to grant Naidu free access so that they could meet regularly.
Temo had adjourned the proceedings to Monday to give Speight time to consult his new attorney.
Two hundred and forty witnesses are expected to be called in the case, which will decide if Speight and 12 others accused of ousting the elected government of Mahendra Chaudhry last May go on to face a treason trial in the high court.
Treason is a capital offence in Fiji.
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