Officer Sets Record Straight

A correctional officer from the Fiji Corrections Service appeared before Judge Justice Daine Tuiqereqere to clarify the confusion surrounding the provision of disclosures for murder accused Tevita Kapawale.

This follows a complaint made by Kapawale about not being provided with his disclosures in his cell last week. He appeared at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

During the previous hearing, Kapawale’s former lawyer told the court that an arrangement had been made with the Remand Centre in Suva for his client to receive his disclosures in his cell in order to prepare for his voir dire trial.

The trial was supposed to start on Monday, but was adjourned to yesterday.

Officer Sikeli Tuira told the court the files of remand inmates were always kept with the property manager.

However, since last Wednesday, the manager had not been in his office.

Mr Tuira said there was no problem in providing Kapawale with the disclosures.

However, because of the lighting issues at the remand, a place had been allocated for remandees to study their documents. He also told the court that Kapawale did not ask for his documents in time.

In response to this, Justice Tuiqereqere asked Mr Tuira whether there was anyone else within the facility who had access to the room.

Justice Tuiqereqere instructed Mr Tuira to inform the manager that it was crucial that remandees receive their paperwork as soon as possible upon request.

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