Defence requests CCTV, checkpoint diary in Nakasi murder case

The lawyer of Epeli Laqeni, charged with murdering his de facto partner last year, has requested video evidence of the passing-out parade that officers claim he attended on the day of the incident.

Laqeni appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili today at the High Court in Suva.

He is facing a murder charge over the alleged killing of his partner at their home in Nakasi last September.

He was brought into court in a wheelchair and managed to move himself to sit inside the courtroom.

During the proceedings, his lawyer, Timoci Varinava, requested CCTV footage and the Naboro checkpoint diary from the State Prosecution, following their claim that Laqeni had attended the Fiji Corrections Service passing-out parade after the alleged murder.

The matter has been adjourned to May 4 to review the State prosecution’s compliance with the request.

Laqeni remains on bail.