Alleged wife murderer's bail ruling on Feb 24th

The Suva High Court will rule on the bail application by Epeli Laqeni, who is accused of killing his wife, on February 24th.

The incident occurred in Nakasi in September last year. 

Laqeni's counsel Timoci Varinava has argued that according to his medical report, he needs an early bilateral tendon repair surgery. 

He says Laqeni needs specific care at the Orthopedic Unit at the CWM Hospital.

Varinava says according to the the medical report, Laqeni was discharged on 17th September last year and was planned to be reviewed but was only taken twice. 

He says he was taken back to the hospital only after they requested and then informed about the special care. 

The defence counsel further says that the State has argued that the remand centre has sufficient facility to look after Laqeni but the doctor looking after the remandees in the Corrections infirmary is a general practitioner and does not have the expertise. 

Varinava also says that there are only 6 beds in the infirmary but there are 10 remandees there and according to the Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission report, Laqeni is made to sleep on the floor, affecting his healing process.

He says Laqeni should be granted bail to allow him to walk again.

The defence lawyer adds that they are not asking for a 5-star treatment but basic human rights. 

Prosecution lawyer Naazish Ali has argued that the report does not state when Laqeni will get the surgery.

She says he has been recovering well at the remand centre and has been taken to the clinic and for physiotherapy.

Ali says the general practitioner has been working with the Orthopedic Unit.

The State prosecutor also says there are no specialists in Fiji and an overseas team will do the surgery. 

She says the Corrections Service will be informed when they arrive. 

Ali also says the 6 beds in the infirmary are for emergency patients and as Laqeni is not in an emergency, he has been on the floor with his beddings. 

She also says that there is no proof that the conditions are inhumane and allegations of verbal abuse by Laqeni are malicious and frivolous in nature as they were only raised when the Human Rights Commission interviewed him. 

Ali also agrees that there are limited medical facilities at the remand centre but Laqeni has been recovering well, and can shower while standing up.