A man accused of killing his 25-year-old wife in an apartment complex in Suva is seeking bail because he fears catching HIV at the remand centre.
Apisai Madigibuli, currently remanded in custody, had his bail hearing yesterday before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva where he opted for legal representation, primarily a new lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission to handle his case.
He was not represented in his bail matter but Legal Aid’s Paula Gade is his lawyer for the substantial case.
The accused claimed that apart from his fear of acquiring HIV, he was worried about the overcrowding issue at the Suva Remand Centre.
Mr Madigibuli is alleged to have fatally stabbed Kitiana Baravilala on April 25 last year.
Prosecutor Monisha Naidu provided an affidavit from the Fiji Corrections Service, but Justice Tuiqereqere said the affidavit did not answer the questions he’d sought.
The questions he wants answered by the State are whether HIV is being spread in the remand centre and, if so, what measures are being put in place to curb it.
Justice Tuiqereqere has granted Mr Madigibuli two weeks to obtain a new lawyer before the matter is called for mention on May 20.
Mr Madigibuli’s substantive matter will be called on June 3.
