Seven Escapees Take Their Plea

They are each charged with damaging property and escaping from lawful custody

Seven men who are alleged to have escaped the Naboro Corrections Complex on December 24, 2018, took their plea at the Magistrates Court in Suva.

Filipe Delana, Ulaiasi Qalomai, Mesulame Waqabaca, Josaia Usamaki, Bainivalu Tuimatavesi, Solomoni Qurai and Peniasi Qalibau appeared before Magistrate Seini Puamau. They are facing one count each of damaging property and escaping from lawful custody. They were serving inmates at the time of the alleged incident.

Delana, Qalomai, Usamaki, and Tuimatavesi have pleaded not guilty to damaging property. However, they pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody.

Waqabaca, Qurai and Qalibau have pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Delana, Qalomai, Waqabaca, Usamaki, Tuimatavesi and Qurai are currently serving their respective sentences while Qalibau is in the remand centre awaiting bail in the matter.

For the offence of damaging property, it is alleged that the seven accused, in December in Lami, wilfully and unlawfully damaged one mattress cover valued at $39, one blanket valued at $13, one pillow case valued at $12, one mosquito net valued at $25, one 80mm pvc pipe valued at $17.50, and one 20mm deformed bar valued at $31.55, all to the total value of $138.05, the property of the Fiji Corrections Service.

For the offence of escape from lawful custody, it is alleged that the seven accused, on December 24, 2018, in Lami, being serving inmates at the Naboro Maximum Complex, escaped from the said facility.

The matter was adjourned to August 21, for mention.

Photo: Selita Bolanavanua From left: Bainivalu Tuimatavesi, Filipe Delana, Ulaiasi Qalomai, Josaia Usumaki, Solomoni Qurai, and Peniasi Qalibau outside the Magistrates Court in Suva on January 12, 2019.

Photo: Selita Bolanavanua Mesulame Waqabaca (in leg cast), outside the Magistrates Court in Suva on January 12, 2019.