Apisai Madigibuli, who is charged with the murder of his pregnant wife, has been classified as a high risk to the community by State Prosecutors, resulting in objections to his bail request.
During a court appearance before Justice Diane Tuiqereqere at the Suva High Court, Madigibuli faced a single count of murder. The 27-year-old is accused of killing his 25-year-old wife, Kitiana Baravilala, who was six months pregnant, in an apartment complex in Suva on July 28.
Prosecutor Monisha Naidu argued against granting bail, citing significant risks associated with Madigibuli’s release. She highlighted his prior convictions, noting he was sentenced in 2022 and had just been released in December.
Naidu described the murder as a heinous act, referring to Section 26 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Irrelevant Convictions) Act 1997, which states that the rehabilitation period begins only after reintegration into society. She stated that Madigibuli had scarcely re-entered society before allegedly committing another serious crime.
In her arguments, Naidu detailed the circumstances surrounding the cause of death and expressed concern for the safety of potential witnesses if he were released. She expressed doubts regarding the reliability of the two sureties, who reside in Nadi, further complicating the bail situation.
Naidu warned the court that if Madigibuli were to be convicted, he would face a prison sentence and there was a significant risk that he would not appear for future court dates.
Defense attorney Paula Gade requested additional time to respond to the prosecution’s arguments, seeking an extension until September 30. Gade also raised questions about the credibility checks on the State’s sureties, prompting Justice Tuiqereqere to urge the prosecution to verify their reliability promptly.
The case has been postponed until September 23 to address pretrial matters and to decide on the bail application. The production order for Madigibuli has also been extended.