The man charged with the alleged murder of his partner at an apartment in Suva has pleaded not guilty. Apisai Driu Madigibuli, who is currently on remand, appeared before Justice Daine Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva charged with one count of murder.
The court was informed that on April 25, Madigibuli allegedly murdered his partner, Kitiana Baravilala, at the Waimanu Apartment in Suva by stabbing her multiple times in the neck and hand with a kitchen knife.
Madigibuli’s lawyer, Paula Gade, requested additional time to finalize their voire dire grounds for the pretrial conference (PTC). Mr. Gade asked for 14 days, a request that State prosecutor Traveshni Sharma did not oppose.
Mr. Gade also informed the court that they plan to apply for bail in the next proceeding, as his client has found suitable sureties who would vouch for him. He stated that they had not filed for bail earlier because they had not secured a surety for his client.
Justice Tuiqereqere adjourned the matter to August 5 for the PTC and to review Madigibuli’s bail.