Prominent Suva lawyer Shazran Abdul Lateef

Prominent Suva lawyer Shazran Abdul Lateef facing theft charges has been further remanded in custody.

Lateef has two other drug-related matters pending before the Suva Magistrates court.

The Prosecution again objected for Lateef to be released on bail.

According to the prosecution, the case is of public interest and there is a likelihood that Lateef may interfere with the prosecution witness.

However, the defense claims that police abused the processes of the court.

In a lengthy submission today, Lateef’s counsel stated that the new charge against his client arises from the raid carried out at his residence on 23rd of last month.

It is alleged that during the raid, Lateef was found in possession of 1.2 grams of marijuana.

Lateef’s lawyer says that the mobile phones and the tablets were discovered by police during that same raid, however, no charges were laid until a week later.

Lateef has pleaded not guilty to the two counts of theft.

The matter has been adjourned to Friday for bail ruling.