Accused back in remand

A married man seeking bail because he fears being remanded with HIV infected individuals has been denied by the High Court in Suva. Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu made the decision yesterday. The man is accused of raping a work colleague during a massage session. The court, during the bail hearing last week, noted the man did not provide enough details to substantiate his claims. He claimed to have been pressured by other remandees to share needles despite his refusals. Justice Bulamainaivalu has also adjourned the delivery of judgment to May 27.

Time frames for parties

Parties to the case of a a man seeking bail due to fear of acquiring HIV at the Suva Remand Centre have been allocated specific time frames to file documents. Apisai Madigibuli is charged with murder and appeared before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere for his bail application at the High Court in Suva yesterday. Mr Madigibuli is alleged to have fatally stabbed his wife, Kitiana Baravilala, on April 25 last year. He claims that apart from his fear of acquiring HIV, he is also worried about the overcrowding issue at the Suva Remand Centre. His lawyer told the court his client’s supplementary affidavit in response to the State’s submission had been delayed. Justice Tuiqereqere also noted that specific questions he wanted answered by the State were whether HIV was rampant in the remand centre, and, if so, what measures had been put in place to curb it. The bail application will be heard on June 3.