High Court found Naimawi guilty of murdering wife
AKalabu man will be sentenced today after he was found guilty of murdering his wife. Jekope Naimawi, 35, appeared before Judge Justice Salesi Temo at the Suva High Court yesterday for the judgment of his seven-day trial.
Justice Temo has found Naimawi guilty as charged and convicted him accordingly. Naimawi on January 10, 2019 at Kalabu, Nasinu, murdered his wife, Maraia Talei, by pouring benzene on her and setting her alight causing serious burn injuries leading to her death on January 22, 2019.
Justice Temo said he accepted the evidence of a 15-year-old who was the neighbour of the couple.
He said the Year 10 student witnessed Naimawi, his late wife and their friends drinking homebrew among pine trees next to their house.
The student saw Naimawi and the deceased arguing and fighting. She also witnessed the deceased fleeing from the party to seek refuge in their house and hid under the bed.
The court heard that the student ran to Naimawi’s house, peeped through the windows and saw Naimawi pouring benzene onto the deceased. Naimawi then lit a match and threw it at the benzene soaked deceased. Justice Temo said he carefully watched and assessed the student’s demeanour and character and in his view, her evidence was that of an innocent child whose desire was nothing but to tell the truth.
He further said that when Naimawi poured benzene on his wife and set her alight, he intended to cause her death.
He also said that Naimawi was reckless in causing her death and therefore, found him guilty for murder.
Mitigation
Defence counsel from the Legal Aid Commission, Shantel Hazelman told the court that the accused was a first offender, had a two-yearold daughter and was a carpenter by profession.
Naimawi was remanded for one year, six months and 17 days.
Sentencing submissions
State prosecutor from the ODPP, Juleen Fatiaki highlighted to the court that murder was punishable by mandatory life imprisonment with a judicial discretion to set a minimum term.
She also highlighted that the offence was an unprovoked act.
She told the court that Naimawi abused his power as husband and the offence was committed in the comfort of her home where she should be protected.
Naimawi will be sentenced today at 11.30am.