• Daring Heist Unveiled: 43-year-old Leone Lesumailepanoni is at the center of a high-stakes case involving an audacious robbery at the Alison Supermarket near Suva.
• Dropped Co-Accused: Charges against Sosiveta Raura have been dropped, leaving Lesumailepanoni to face the music alone.
• Stolen Taxi Twist: Allegedly, the accused and two accomplices hijacked a taxi—tying up the driver and forcing him into the boot—before storming the supermarket armed with cane knives.
• Severe Penalties: The crime carries a maximum sentence of six to 12 years for aggravated robbery with a weapon.
• Bail Blocked: The prosecution, citing previous convictions, staunchly opposes bail for Lesumailepanoni.
• Legal Maneuvers Continue: Defense lawyer Shivani Narayan has requested more time for a supplementary affidavit, as the case is set for a dramatic return on February 13.
In a courtroom charged with tension, Leone Lesumailepanoni, the man accused of a daring supermarket robbery at Lau-cala Beach Estate, finds himself in a precarious position. Facing four counts of aggravated robbery, his co-accused Sosiveta Raura was recently dropped from the case through a nolle prosequi filing by State lawyer Simone Seruvatu, sharpening the spotlight on Lesumailepanoni.
The alleged crime is as brazen as it is shocking. According to the prosecution, Lesumailepanoni and his two accomplices first orchestrated a taxi hijacking—tying up the driver and shoving him into the boot—before launching an assault on the Alison Supermarket on December 2. The group reportedly brandished cane knives, instilling fear among both supermarket attendants and shoppers.
When pressed about the potential consequences, Mr. Seruvatu revealed that the maximum tariff for aggravated robbery with a weapon ranges between six and 12 years. It is on this severe note that the prosecution has vehemently objected to any bail application, citing Lesumailepanoni’s previous convictions as a serious indicator of risk.
Meanwhile, defense lawyer Shivani Narayan has sought additional time to file a supplementary affidavit, hinting at more legal twists to come. With the next hearing now scheduled for February 13, the case promises to deliver more courtroom drama as both sides prepare for what could be a pivotal moment in Suva’s legal saga.
Stay tuned as this riveting trial unfolds, offering a glimpse into a case where every detail could tip the balance of justice.
