Yvette Nikolic’s acquittal faces appeal

Yvette Nikolic walked free after being acquitted of serious drug charges in Fiji last month, but Suva’s Director of Public Prosecutions has announced plans to appeal the ruling.

Yvette Nikolic’s acquittal on drug smuggling and possession charges is being appealed.

Fiji’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, this afternoon released a statement saying Suva High Court judge Daniel Goundar “made an error of law in finding there was no case for Mrs Nikolic to answer”.

The wife of former Melbourne horse trainer, John Nikolic, walked free from Suva High Court on February 18 after being found not guilty of all charges.

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Happier times (L-R): John and Yvette Nikolic.

Like her husband - who has been sentenced to 23 years in Suva prison with a non-parole period of 18 years -.Yvette Nikolic faced charges of importing illicit drugs into Fiji and possessing arms and ammunition without a licence.

Mr Pryde said a Notice of Appeal against the decision to acquit Yvette had been filed in the Court of Appeal this afternoon.

Police/ The DPP alleged 13 bars of cocaine, drug tablets, guns and $15,000 in US$100 bills were found on the Nikolics’ yacht Shenanigans when it was raided by Fiji Customs authorities at Denarau Marina on June 22 last year.

Yvette Nikolic dyed her previously blonde hair brown upon her return to Australia. Picture: Matrix

John Nikolic pictured at the High court in Suva on March 8. Picture: Gary Ramage

Parents of two Yvette and John left their teenage children behind to set off on what they described as “the adventure of a lifetime” in early February last year, sailing from Florida to Colombia, through Panama and across the Pacific.

It is understood they were bound for Queensland.

Yvette Nikolic returned to Australia on February 19, the day after being acquitted.