Fiji High Court judge slams Nikolics’ lawyers over ‘disrespect’

A Suva High Court judge has delivered a spectacular spray to the defence team of accused drug smuggler John Nikolic and his wife Yvette, accusing them of making “outlandish demands”.

A Suva High Court judge has delivered a spectacular spray to the Nikolics’ defence team, accusing lawyers of disrespecting his court, having a “cavalier attitude” and making “outlandish demands”.

Justice David Alfred on Tuesday said the Suva High Court should be treated with the same reverence and respect as courts in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and he was not going to tolerate disrespect in his courtroom.

“I am one judge who will put an end to that,” he thundered.

John Nikolic outside the High Court in Suva. Picture: Gary Ramage

It was not fair a junior lawyer had been sent to represent Yvette and John Nikolic in the civil case against the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and responsibility for the matter had been laid at her feet, Justice Alfred said.

The FRCS has applied for the forfeiture and sale of the Nikolics’ yacht Shenanigans; a bid the Australian couple is fighting through their Lautoka-based law firm Gordon and Co.

It follows the completion of Yvette Nikolic’s criminal trial and comes in the same week a verdict is expected to be delivered on John Nikolic.

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John and Yvette Nikolic on board Shenanigans.

While Yvette is now back in Australia — having been found not guilty of drug importation and possession — her former horse trainer husband, John, remains charged with drug smuggling and locked up in Suva prison.

The young female lawyer — from another legal firm — asked on behalf of Gordon and Co principal, Ronald Gordon, if the civil matter could be moved to the Lautoka High Court and, among other things, for more time to prepare submissions as the Nikolics’ lawyers had been “consumed” recently with their clients’ criminal case.

Yvette Nikolic, pictured outside court in Fiji, is now back in Australia after being found not guilty. Picture: News Corp Australia

“Be a bit more respectful to the court and don’t make these outlandish demands,” Justice Alfred said in response to her requests.

He said the requests were “an affront” to every person in the courtroom.

“I refuse to accept the poisoned chalice (and) I return it to you,” Justice Alfred said.

Yvette Nikolic pictured in Port Melbourne after flying back from Fiji.

The civil case would proceed on Friday, March 1 at 10.30am, he said.

Justice Daniel Goundar will give his summation in John’s Nikolic’s Suva High Court criminal case the day before, on Thursday, February 28.

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A verdict is expected to be delivered soon after the summation, with sentencing to follow.

Shenanigans, which was purchased in Yvette’s name for $335,000 from a Florida boat broker in late 2017, was seized by the FRCS after its drug bust at Denarau Marina on June 22 last year.

The pair’s lawyers have been criticised by the Suva High Court judge. Picture: Varanisese Bolatagane/News Corp Australia

Thirteen bars of cocaine, ecstasy tablets, fully-loaded weapons, ammunition and US$15,000 in $100 bills were found by authorities hidden under the yacht’s deck and in the wall of the communal lounge area.

The Nikolics had sailed the catamaran from Florida, to Colombia, through Panama and across the Pacific before it was raided and John allegedly attempted suicide through a deliberate overdose.

John Nikolic is pleading not guilty to drug importation, possession and weapons charges.

He has been represented throughout his criminal trial by Ronald Gordon while Yvette was represented by Wasu Pillay, who also works for Gordon and Co.

Originally published as Fiji High Court judge slams Nikolics’ lawyers over ‘disrespect’