The father who allegedly caused the death of his four-month-old baby appeared in the High Court in Suva yesterday after his case was transferred from the Magistrates Court last Friday.

Tevita Veicavuyaki Kunawave, 26, appeared before Judge Justice Salesi Temo.

Kunawave is charged with the murder of his daughter. He is alleged to have seriously injured his daughter, resulting in her death after she was allegedly caught in the middle of a domestic dispute. The alleged incident occurred on Sunday, October 27, at their home in Nabua.

Kunawave was represented by Isireli Romanu from MIQ lawyers.

State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sadaf Shameem, told the court that they were seeking seven days to file information and disclosures for the case. However, Justice Temo questioned Mr Shameem if she required more time because there were instances in the past that prosecutors’ requested for time and the matter was adjourned, and when the matter got called on the next date, the prosecutors’ requested for more time again.

He said the matter was a serious case of murder and questioned whether the State would require more time to file information and disclosures. Ms Shameem then sought for 21 days to file the information and disclosures.

Mr Romanu told the court that he would be filing the bail application for Kunawave by next week. However, Justice Temo said he would like to see the information and disclosures first before he considered bail in the matter.

The matter was adjourned for mention to November 29, to check on the information and disclosures.

Kunawave has been further remanded.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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