A man with a long criminal history, charged with multiple offences including rape and indecent assault, has appeared in court on additional charges.

While Daniel Akama had vacated earlier pleas and asked for disclosure on rape, indecent assault, three counts of burglary and contempt of court charges on May 1, he agreed to seek legal advice when he appeared at a criminal call-over before Chief Justice Patrick Keane in the High Court on Friday.

He now faces two charges of rape, two of indecent assault, one of inducing an indecent act, three of burglary, four of contempt of court, two of failing to stop and render assistance, two of dangerous driving causing injury, one of failing to stop on demand, unlawful taking, and excess breath alcohol.

Akama, in custody, was told by Chief Justice Patrick Keane that he had vacated his pleas, but could review his situation.

“You have been loaded with more charges which are serious; you need advice,” CJ Keane told him.

“You really need to take advice from someone competent, do you accept that?

Akama said “yes”.

CJ Keane then suggested to him that legal aid was an option, to which the defendant replied that he would make an application for legal aid.

Crown lawyer Jamie Crawford confirmed Akama had been given disclosure and a charge list.

Akama said he did not have all the information.

Crawford said Police were still awaiting forensic evidence and there did need to be some priority, given the nature on the main victim.

CJ Keane said he would adjourn the matter to July 28 and told Akama to make an application for legal aid before he left the building.

Akama appeared in court in February facing a multitude of charges, including dangerous driving and failing to stop, where he told a Judge he wanted his case dealt with “sooner rather than later”. 

Akama, in custody at the time, appeared on charges of unlawfully taking, two of dangerous driving causing injury, excess breath alcohol, two of failing to stop and render assistance, failing to stop on demand, and three contempt of court charges. 

He told the court he didn’t want legal representation and wanted the matter dealt with “now”, and that the matter was “dragging” on.

“I’m not happy,” he said at the time.

Akama said he had already entered a plea in the Criminal Court, while Probation said a report had been ordered, but they were waiting on new charges.

At the time, CJ Keane said he understood Akama’s frustration and said he would have the matter called so it could be dealt with earlier. 

In 2020, Akama was convicted for taking a safe box and damaging restaurant property.

Justice of the Peace Carmen Temata sentenced him to a jail term of two years and six months. His two-and-a-half-year sentence reflected not just the severity of this crime – but the fact it was the tenth time he had been before the court.