The High Court in Suva has set the trial date for the eight corrections officers charged with the assault and death of Seremaia Momo in 2019 from September 26 to October 6.
The matter was called before High Court judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe yesterday.
The accused – Isei Rakaso, Pita Raikoso, Josefa Boletakibureta, Waisea Sadranu, Josefa Satini, Nemani Vasuvulagi, Apisai Naqamu, and former Fiji 7s player Joji Ragamate – were all charged with one count of an act with intent to cause grievous harm.
Initially there were 10 officers to face the court but one of them passed away in 2019 and the other, Ledua Tikoigau, no longer lived in the country.
The eight remaining accused denied the charges in November.
State Prosecutor Shirley Tivao said the State intended to call 15 witnesses, most of them inmates who were serving substantial sentences.
Ms Tivao said after a meeting with the counsel for the defendants, David Toganivalu, they had been able to significantly reduce trial issues in terms of what evidence the witnesses will tell the court.
She also said there were no issues with regards to the cause of death – asphyxiation – and that the deceased was found with contraband, and committed suicide and died in the cell punishment block.
Mr Toganivalu said if there was a case to answer he would need three days to call all eight accused and five defence witnesses for alibi.
The matter was adjourned to May 18 for mention.
