THE man charged with the murder of Nadi physician Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya testified at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday that the deadly fight between them was triggered by mounting distress over online social media posts targeting his family.
Ratu Peceli Rosotokaicake Rokoravolo gave evidence in his defence before Justice Aruna Aluthge. He is charged with the murder of Dr Biumaitotoya in Nadi between August 31 and September 1, 2025.
His lawyer Losana Taukei called Mr Rokoravolo, who denied being in a relationship with Dr Biumaitotoya. He told the court their association was strictly financial, and that Dr Biumaitotoya supported his canteen business in the village and his family.
The court heard that after travelling from Mokani Village, Tailevu, to Nadi on August 30 last year to collect $1000, Dr Biumaitotoya told him to have dinner and he showered afterwards.
It was after this that an argument erupted between the two regarding Dr Biumaitotoya’s Facebook posts.
Mr Rokoravolo told the court that Dr Biumaitotoya was already consuming alcohol when he initially arrived, however, the two went to Votualevu to buy more alcohol.
He said they then travelled to Lautoka on August 31 where they bought more alcohol.
Mr Rokoravolo said that after returning to the physician’s home, Dr Biumaitotoya swore at him and pulled a cane knife from beside his bed.
During a struggle, Mr Rokoravolo said he looped an extension cord around the doctor’s neck to loosen his grip on the knife.
After retrieving the knife, Mr Rokoravolo said he asked if Dr Biumaitotoya wanted to kill him before swinging the knife, causing Dr Biumaitotoya to collapse.
Emotionally addressing the court, Mr Rokoravolo said he was not in the right state of mind to get medical help, maintaining he never intended to kill the doctor but lost control out of anger over the online posts.
Under cross-examination by State counsel Joeli Nasa, Mr Rokoravolo agreed the argument involved alleged misuse of business funds sent by Dr Biumaitotoya to him but he rejected assertions that his wife accepted the arrangement for financial gain.
Further evidence from the accused’s uncle, Josaia Boselawa and elder brother Ratu Seru Vuibau detailed public ridicule surrounding the Facebook posts, including other people’s description of Mr Rokoravolo as a homosexual.
Mr Vuibau told the court under cross examination that after confronting his brother a second time, Mr Rokoravolo admitted to being in a relationship with Dr Biumaitotoya. The defence closed its case yesterday.
Oral closing submissions will be made on August 4.
