Onisimo Raboiliku has testified in a murder trial, asserting that he did not give orders to Corrections officers to physically assault the late remand prisoner Jone Masirewa, who died at the Lautoka Remand Centre on April 13, 2020. Raboiliku appeared in court as a defense witness during proceedings that questioned the circumstances leading to Masirewa’s severe traumatic injuries resulting in his death.
During the trial, it was revealed that Raboiliku, the chief officer at the Natabua Remand Centre at the time, is charged alongside former Corrections officers Semesa Bulikalougata and Navitalai Kanavo. Raboiliku faces one count of murder and assault causing actual bodily harm, while Kanavo and another officer, Suliasi Tubuna, face lesser assault charges.
In his testimony, Raboiliku denied the allegations made by Tubuna, a former temporary Corrections officer, who claimed that Raboiliku ordered the use of brutal tactics, including kicking and punching Masirewa as part of a drill exercise for insubordination. He contended that his directives were misunderstood and that he only instructed the officers to hose the inmates down due to a separate incident involving COVID-19 protocols.
The trial also highlighted statements from Tubuna, who noted that he was granted immunity to testify for the State, and that he had personally hit another remand prisoner, Jone Nawalu, during the incident. Additional evidence included claims by former inmate Nawalu that the treatment of prisoners resembled torture, necessitating a thorough judicial review of inmate management practices within correctional facilities.
The proceedings are scheduled to resume on July 30, when defense counsel will present their final arguments. This case emphasizes the importance of accountability and the ethical treatment of prisoners in correctional systems while underscoring the need for reforms to prevent misconduct. As the trial unfolds, there remains hope that it will shed light on necessary improvements for corrections staff and inmate treatment protocols.
This trial not only addresses the specific allegations against those involved but also raises broader questions about human rights and the responsibilities of correctional facilities in ensuring safety and dignity for all inmates.
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