A man charged with the alleged murder of his partner in 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, facing 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 more time to finalize their voire dire grounds for the pretrial conference. Mr. Gade asked for 14 days, to which State prosecutor Traveshni Sharma did not object.
Mr. Gade also indicated that they plan to apply for bail in the next proceeding, as Madigibuli had recently identified suitable sureties who would vouch for him. He noted that the bail application had not been filed earlier due to the absence of a surety.
Justice Tuiqereqere adjourned the matter to August 5 for the pretrial conference and to review Madigibuli’s bail application.