The High Court has delivered a scathing condemnation of Apisai Madigibuli, declaring that Kitiana Baravilala “was not your possession” as it jailed him for life for killing her.
Passing sentence yesterday, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere described the killing as “one of the gravest crimes in our society”, finding that Madigibuli acted out of resentment, revenge and jealousy after the victim had moved on with her life.
The court found that Madigibuli had carefully planned the murder, travelling from Nadi to Suva after purchasing and sharpening a knife with the intention of killing Ms Baravilala, who was 20 weeks pregnant at the time.
Justice Tuiqereqere noted that after repeatedly stabbing the victim, Madigibuli responded to her final expression of love by telling her to “just die” before moving her body aside so he could leave the room.
The judge noted that the couple’s four-year-old daughter witnessed the attack after waking to her mother’s screams, an experience he said would likely leave her with lifelong psychological trauma.
Justice Tuiqereqere further observed that Madigibuli had shown no remorse. Madigibuli was sentenced to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum term of 20 years, nine months and three weeks before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
