A Cook Islands businessperson and their company, charged with failing to pay superannuation contributions, were granted interim name suppression by a Justice of the Peace.

Justice of the Peace John Whitta has granted interim name suppression to a businessperson and their company, who are facing charges of failing to pay their contributions to the Cook Islands Superannuation Fund (CINSF). The charges also include failing to comply.

Defence lawyer Michelle Tangimama Pera Robati speaking at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday last week requested interim name suppression on the basis that the accused needed an opportunity to advise the family about the case.

Initially, JP Whitta did not grant name suppression for the company but did grant it for the accused person.

However, Robati argued that JP Whitta had granted interim name suppression for a different company for the same charges previously.

She said the Chief Justice then lifted the interim name suppression after it was transferred to the High Court.

JP Whitta said normally he would grant interim name suppression for a certain period giving time for the defendant to inform their family.

He granted name suppression for both the business and the accused person and adjourned the matter to April 14 to the High Court.