The High Court has ruled that a man accused of murder is a threat to the community and the victim’s family if he is allowed bail, considering the savagery of the crime he is on trial for.
Justice Dane Tuiqereqere made the remark when refusing Apisai Madigibuli’s third bail application at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Mr Madigibuli, who is accused of fatally stabbing his pregnant wife, Kitiana Baravilala, with a knife on April 25 last year, said he wanted bail to properly defend his case by having access to the internet and a mobile phone for research purposes, but the State strongly objected to this.
He also sought bail so he could find work to enable him to hire a private lawyer and provide for his children.
“The amount of time that the accused will have spent on remand by the time of trial is a concern for the court,” stated the judge.
“However, the accused is responsible for this delay. At the conclusion of the voir dire in July, as the trial proper was about to start, the accused dismissed his counsel and indicated he wished to represent himself. Further, the accused stated that he needed time to prepare for trial.”
“As for the difficulties the accused will face with limited resources at his disposal in remand again, that is a result of the choice the accused has made.
“I remain of the view that the accused remains a risk to the community if bail is granted and can do no better than repeat the following concerns expressed in my ruling of (November 14, 2024) when I initially declined bail.”
The case has been adjourned to September 23.
