Corrections officers front court over the death of remand prisoner, who is expected to be buried today
Case adjourned to May 4, deceased to be buried today.
Four Fiji Corrections Service officers were produced at the Magistrates Court in Lautoka yesterday in relation to the redeath of remand prisoner, Jone Masirewa.
The four men, Onisimo Raboiliku, Semesa Bulikalougata, Navitalai Kanavo and Suliasi Tubuna appeared before Magistrate Nayani Kasturiratne facing charges of murder and assault.
Raboiliku and Bulikalougata are charged with one count of murder each while Raboiliku faces an additional charge of one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Kanavo and Tubuna are each charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Legal Aid lawyer, Kelly Vulimainadave represented Kanavo and Tubuna, lawyer Mosese Naivalu represented Raboiliku while Bulikalougata represented himself.
Police Prosecutor, Constable Nacanieli Lomani appeared for prosecution. Magistrate Kasturiratne further remanded all the accused persons and transferred the case to the High Court in Lautoka.
The matter has been adjourned to May 4, 2020.
Masirewa to be buried today
Masirewa is expected to be buried today. His partner, Josivini Maria, 25, said their family members had gathering at his Natokowaqa home in Lautoka.
Ms Maria, who is also seven months pregnant with their first child, said she last saw Masirewa on April 11, when she went to visit him at the cellblock.
She said he was well and asked her to bring food the following day.
She said he was never sick and was a healthy person.
“On Saturday, I visited him at the cellblock around 9.30am and he told me he would be appearing in Court on Tuesday I’m not sure for what, and he asked for me to bring his food on Sunday,” she said.
“When I came on Sunday the officers told me he had eaten already and did not want to see me.”
She said officers from the Fiji Corrections Service approached her on Monday telling her that there was an accident at the Corrections Centre in which Masirewa had been involved in.
Masirewa’s death certificate stated that he died as a result of a severe hemoperitoneum due to severe traumatic abdominal injuries and severe traumatic chest injuries.
Ms Maria has acknowledged the work carried out by the Fiji Corrections Service and the Fiji Police Force in looking into this matter.
Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro said: “We can’t speculate whether others will be brought in right now as the investigations are continuing.”