The Suva High Court has scheduled a ruling on the bail status of former Corrections officer Epeli Laqeni for February 10. Laqeni faces charges related to the alleged murder of his de facto partner in Nakasi between September 3 and 5.
During the court proceedings, Laqeni appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili, represented by Legal Aid lawyer Timoci Varinava. The defense has acknowledged receiving a medical report alongside human rights documents addressing Laqeni’s claims of human rights abuses.
In the hearing, Laqeni’s lawyer indicated that the medical report recommends surgical intervention for him to regain proper mobility. However, the state prosecutor challenged the credibility of these recommendations, arguing that they were not part of the medical report provided by the remand center.
Nursing staff at the remand center reported that Laqeni is able to stand while showering and during his wound dressings, suggesting that his injuries have largely healed. The defense clarified that while Laqeni can stand, he is unable to walk. Additionally, the state proposed a new medical evaluation from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital—an idea contested by the defense, who affirmed that they were already referencing recommendations from this hospital.
Justice Ratuvili has directed Laqeni to submit fresh bail applications by this Friday, with the state expected to respond by the following Friday. The case will be revisited on February 10, marking a critical moment in the ongoing legal proceedings for the former officer.
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