Agriculture Officer Released On Bail

An agriculture officer who allegedly used a piece of timber to hit his de facto partner, a Police officer, appeared in the Labasa Magistrate ‘s Court yesterday.

Laisiasa Nakaibau charged for act with intent to cause grievous harm appeared before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou.

It is alleged that on Saturday around 3am, the 28-year-old following a heated argument allegedly hit his 40-year-old de facto partner on her head repeatedly using a piece of timber at their home in Nailawa, Labasa.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Monish Chandra informed the court that the victim was in serious condition and on Tuesday she was airlifted to CWM Hospital since she cannot speak and is suffering from severe head injuries.

He further informed the court that it was a serious offence and requested the case to be transferred to Labasa High Court. Nakaibau’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission, Uraia Koroi requested if his client could be released on bail since he had to look after his two children, was not a danger to society and had been in remand for a long time.

Mr Koroi informed the court that Nakaibau was a first offender and would adhere to strict bail conditions.

Magistrate Savou questioned the accused who was looking after his children while he was in remand and his wife in hospital. Nakaibau replied that his “cousin sister” was looking after them. Magistrate Savou told the court that this was a domestic violence offence and hence he issued a domestic violence restraining order on him.

He then informed the court that since the remand centre was overcrowded in Labasa he would release the accused on bail provided he produced two sureties and each had to pay $300.

He was then told to report at Labasa Police Station every fortnight. The case has been transferred to Labasa High Court to be heard on October 24.