Accused claims self-defence in doctor's murder trial

A man accused of murdering Nadi doctor Isireli Biumaitotoya has told the High Court in Lautoka that he acted in self-defence after the doctor allegedly threatened him with a cane knife during an argument at the victim's home.

Ratu Peceli Rokoravolo, who is charged with one count of murder, took the witness stand before Justice Aruna Aluthge yesterday and gave his account of the events leading to Dr Biumaitotoya's death between August 31 and September 1 last year.

Rokoravolo told the court he first became aware of Dr Biumaitotoya through a social media video in 2021.

He said he later met the doctor through his cousin, Anare Vibose, whom he claimed was in a relationship with the deceased.

Rokoravolo denied being in a relationship with Dr Biumaitotoya, claiming the doctor used photographs of him on social media to conceal his relationship with his cousin.

He told the court Dr Biumaitotoya later offered to financially support his village canteen business and a barbecue business in Nausori and gave him money in exchange for not revealing the doctor's relationship with his cousin.

He said he eventually cut off contact because Dr Biumaitotoya was posting negative comments about his family on social media.

The accused said communication resumed after 2023 when he contacted the doctor, asking him to stop posting content that he claimed humiliated his chiefly family and damaged its reputation.

He told the court villagers had made negative remarks and issued threats because of the social media posts.

Rokoravolo said Dr Biumaitotoya later contacted him again, asking about his businesses and offering further financial assistance.

However, he admitted their relationship remained strained before August 30 last year.

The court heard that Dr Biumaitotoya invited Rokoravolo to his Namaka home on the night of August 30 to collect supplies for the canteen business.

Rokoravolo said he arrived at about 10pm and the pair spent the night drinking while arguing over the alleged misuse of M-PAiSA money sent to him for the business and over the social media posts.

He told the court they went on a cruise to Lautoka the following morning before returning to the doctor's residence, where they continued drinking.

Rokoravolo claimed he was sober while Dr Biumaitotoya was intoxicated when another argument erupted.

He alleged the doctor locked the house, went into the bedroom and returned holding a cane knife while swearing at him.

The accused said he became frightened and grabbed an extension cord within reach, swinging it around the doctor's arms from behind in an attempt to loosen his grip on the knife.

He told the court the doctor dropped the weapon during the struggle, after which he picked up the cane knife and struck him "out of anger".

Rokoravolo said he could not remember how many times he struck Dr Biumaitotoya.

When he saw the blood, he realised what he had done and began shivering after seeing the victim lying in a pool of blood.

He said he told the injured doctor he was going to get help before running to a nearby bus stop with the intention of going to the police station.

However, after sitting there for about 10 minutes trying to catch his breath, he became frightened and returned to the house.

He told the court he intended to drive the doctor's vehicle to Namaka Police Station but instead drove to Nausori because he panicked.

Justice Aluthge asked the accused why he did not take the victim to hospital in the vehicle, to which Rokoravolo replied that he could not think straight.

Rokoravolo maintained the killing was not intentional and said he respected Dr Biumaitotoya because of the financial support he had received. He also insisted he acted in self-defence.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Joeli Nasa suggested that if Rokoravolo truly respected Dr Biumaitotoya, he would not have inflicted about 30 knife wounds and killed the victim in that manner.

Mr Nasa further alleged the accused intentionally killed the doctor after expecting to receive $1,000 but being given only $300.

He also suggested Rokoravolo was the first to attack and already knew where the cane knife was kept inside the house.

The prosecutor told the court the extension cord recovered from the crime scene contained the victim's blood, suggesting Dr Biumaitotoya had used the cord to defend himself after the accused attacked with the knife.

He also argued Rokoravolo had several opportunities to leave the house during the arguments but chose to remain because he had not received the full amount of money he expected.

The defence also called Josaia Boselawa, 50, of Mokani Village in Tailevu, the accused's uncle.

Mr Boselawa told the court that social media posts made by Dr Biumaitotoya had caused villagers to demand that Rokoravolo be removed from both the family and the village.

Another witness, Ratu Seru Vuibau, 38, the accused's elder brother, said he confronted Rokoravolo after seeing videos circulating on social media.

He told the court he punched his brother during the confrontation, and Rokoravolo admitted he had been in a relationship with Dr Biumaitotoya.

Justice Aluthge adjourned the matter to August 4 for closing submissions.