19 Mar 2021

Fiji prison wardens front court over inmate's death

10:37 am on 19 March 2021

Eight corrections officers in Fiji have been charged over the alleged assault and death of a prisoner two years ago.

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Photo: Fiji Corrections

The officers appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this week.

No plea was taken when Josefa Satini, Joji Ragamate, Waisea Sadranu, Nemani Vasuvulagi, Isei Rakaso, Josefa Boletakibureta , Pita Raikoso and Apisai Naqamu appeared in court.

Initially, 10 officers were charged but one of them died in 2019 while another no longer lives in Fiji.

The court was told that on the 20 February 2019 the officers assaulted Seremaia Naidole who later took his own life at the Naboro Minimum Corrections Centre.

The charges consist of assault causing actual bodily harm, acts intended to cause grievous harm and complicity in the suicide of another.

The officers have been bailed and will reappear in court on 6 April.