Alleged wife killer given time to prepare plea
AKinoya man who is alleged to have murdered his wife, will enter his plea later this month. Fatai Peni who allegedly slit his wife’s throat following an argument, appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar yesterday.
The 53-year-old farmer is alleged to have killed his 47-year-old wife in December last year following a heated argument between the couple. Peni is charged with one count of murder.
It is alleged that Peni on December 29, 2019, at Nasinu, murdered Apete Bale.
Prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shirley Tivao, told the court that the information was yet to be filed by the state.
She told the court that the state was awaiting for the psychiatric evaluation report which was submitted to court on June 4 and stated that the accused was fit to plead and participate in legal proceedings.
She told the court that according to the report, the accused was not suffering from mental illness. Justice Goundar gave 21 days to prosecution to file the information. He also ordered the defence lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission to prepare the accused for his plea.
The matter has been adjourned to June 29. Peni has been further remanded in custody.