Two men appeared in the Suva High Court yesterday charged with one count each of aggravated robbery.

Gabriel Waqa and Mataiyasi Navugona allegedly robbed a woman in Kinoya on the 11th of March this year of two hundred and forty nine dollars in cash.

When their charges were read out, the two men told the court that they did not understand their charges.

Presiding Judge Justice Daniel Goundar noted that the record should reflect a not guilty plea for the first accused, Gabriel Waqa with Navugona representing himself also entering a plea of not guilty.

Justice Goundar questioned the State counsel on what evidence they had on the charges against the two.

In response, the State noted that other than the complainant in the case, there was other eyewitness testimony of the alleged robbery which occurred in the daytime.

Defense counsel for Waqa asked the court for time to file disclosures in relation to a pretrial conference with issues on the facts of the case.

Justice Goundar then questioned Navugona on whether he would seek legal counsel given the seriousness of the case. The accused asked the court for seven days to secure a lawyer.

The matter has been adjourned to the 21st of this month for a pretrial conference, a confirmation of a legal representative of Navugona and for a trial date to be set.