Supreme Court to hear Rahman appeal in August

Fiji-Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman is pursuing a further appeal after his legal counsel filed a notice with the Supreme Court. This action challenges a previous decision by the Court of Appeals that mandated a retrial in his case. Rahman appeared in the Suva High Court, where his defense lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, informed the court of the filed appeal, indicating the matter would be heard in August.

Rahman was initially charged and subsequently convicted in 2019 for the unlawful possession of a significant quantity of cocaine – 39.5 kilograms – discovered at his residence in Caubati. The drugs were found in his father's bedroom while his father was abroad. Rahman received a sentence of 23 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period set at 14 years.

He appealed both his conviction and sentence. While the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction, it simultaneously ordered a new trial. The Suva High Court has now directed the state counsel to provide a report on Rahman and his adherence to bail conditions. This specific matter is scheduled for September 7, preceding the Supreme Court's hearing of the main appeal on August 6.