'Dad put knife on mum': Child’s account emerges in murder trial

A child’s alleged statement that “dad put knife on mum” and visible blood on both the accused and the child formed part of emotionally charged evidence presented in the High Court in Suva murder trial yesterday.

The evidence was heard during the trial of 27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli, who is accused of killing his de facto partner, Kitiana Baravilala, and her unborn baby at Waimanu Apartments in Suva on April 24, 2024.

Three witnesses took the stand: apartment receptionist Ulamila Vereki, the victim’s sister Sera Baravilala, and police officer Selina Naikau.

The court heard that shortly after the alleged incident, Madigibuli approached the apartment reception area with the couple’s young child.

Receptionist Vereki told the court she noticed blood on both Madigibuli and the child at the time.

She said that earlier in the night, between 1am and 2am, she heard loud screaming but believed it was coming from outside the building.

Vereki said Madigibuli later came to reception and asked her to call police to collect his partner’s body. He also reportedly provided a contact number for the child’s aunt to pick up the child.

The victim’s sister, Sera Baravilala, told the court that a day before the incident, Madigibuli had called the victim and claimed his boss had arranged a room for them for work purposes.

She said he later collected the victim and their child from home.

Sera also told the court the family learned of the incident only when police returned the child to their home in Toorak, Suva. She said the child later told her, “dad put knife on mum.”

Police officer Selina Naikau told the court that when officers arrived at the scene, Madigibuli was standing and smiling.

During the hearing, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere asked each witness to identify the accused in court. All three witnesses pointed to Madigibuli as the man they saw.

The trial continues today.