Former Qld Reds player Lolo Mana’ia Faka’osilea charged with extortion using fake gun

A former Queensland Reds forward and nephew of an All Blacks great has faced court charged with extortion using a replica firearm and drug possession, in a case labelled by the judge as “terribly serious”.

Lolo Mana’ia Faka’osilea is accused of extorting and threatening a man at a South Brisbane apartment earlier this month.

A former professional rugby player contracted to domestic and overseas teams has faced court charged with extortion using a replica firearm and drug possession, it can be revealed.

Former Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies forward Lolo Mana’ia Faka’osilea, who is the nephew of late All Blacks great Jonah Lomu, appeared in Brisbane Arrests Court on Friday.

He is charged with one count each of extortion, possessing schedule one drugs with a quantity exceeding schedule 3, and refusing to give police access to an electronic device.

The 29-year-old was charged on Thursday by detectives from Taskforce Maxima – the state’s anti-organised crime squad. Police searched his home in Burbank in Brisbane’s southeast.

He is accused of extorting and threatening a man at a South Brisbane apartment earlier this month, before police allege he was found in possession of Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) when they searched his Burbank home on Thursday, and he allegedly contravened an order to provide access to electronic information during the execution of the warrant.

Solicitor Adam Moschella, of the firm Bell Criminal Lawyers, represented Faka’osilea in court on Friday, with the accused brought up from the cells wearing prison green attire.

Mr Moschella initially made an application for bail, conceding that his client was in a show cause position, but arguing there were two factors to warrant Faka’osilea’s release.

“Firstly, the delay with respect to this matter, and also the strength of the evidence,” Mr Moschella told the court.

“I understand the complainant has provided a statement, but it would be my submission that the complainant’s evidence should be viewed with some scepticism.

“He was dealt with in the Supreme Court in December 2023 … I understand he is also on bail for a number of serious drug offences, including trafficking.

“This needs to be juxtaposed with my client who has no criminal history whatsoever.”

But magistrate Louise Shephard – who read the full police outline – said the allegations were “terribly serious” and there was “strength” to the prosecution case.

“He [the complainant] describes a weapon in some detail and the police execute a search warrant and find that replica firearm, which when I read matches that description. It’s not just word against word,” the magistrate summarised.

“The police are saying they’ve got CCTV footage and purport to identify him [Faka’osilea] from that footage, my understanding is that footage picks up the registration plates attached to a vehicle registered to your client’s partner.

“There is also the issue of [alleged text messages on] the mobile phone [of the complainant, from Faka’osilea].”

Faka’osilea’s partner is not accused of any wrongdoing.

However, Mr Moschella said none of the physical evidence referenced in the prosecution’s case outline against his client had been provided.

“Police have had 24 hours to prepare this and there are no photos, no stills from the CCTV allegedly present, it all appears to be somewhat of a circumstantial case. I appreciate there is the alleged telephone interaction between him and my client,” he argued.

Magistrate Shephard agreed on this point, saying it was “reasonable” for the defence to ask for the prosecution and investigating police officers to “show their cards”.

Mr Moschella abandoned his client’s bail application and asked for an adjournment.

Magistrate Shephard adjourned the case to next Thursday, December 5. She ordered police to disclose to Faka’osilea’s defence team the referenced CCTV footage, text messages, and photos of the replica gun and other items seized during the search warrant.

“I take it there is a suggestion that the evidence doesn’t support that it was actually he [Faka’osilea] who was there?” the magistrate inquired.

“Effectively, your honour,” Mr Moschella agreed.

As he was being taken back to the cells, Faka’osilea waved and blew kisses to supporters in the courtroom, who told him “I love you” as he was led out of the dock.

Faka’osilea, whose primary positions were number eight and flanker, played for Marist College in Emerald at age 13, before going onto play for the Queensland and Australian Schoolboys, as well as Reds and Australian U20s.

The Auckland-born forward made his senior debut for the Queensland Reds in 2015 and was there for two years, he joined the ACT Brumbies for the 2017 season, before being released from his contract early in 2018 and going to play for Kintetsu Liners in Japan.

Faka’osilea is also a keen boxer and challenged NSW rugby league hardman to a fight in 2016, which Gallen turned down.