42-year-old Keni Salawai and 20-year-old Jope Seniloli have been further remanded in custody for the alleged murder of 24-year-old Police Constable Peniasi Racagi in Lami.
They appeared before Suva High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar.
Salawai’s defence lawyer, Tobia Ravuniwa informed the court that his client has been charged based on circumstantial evidence.
Ravuniwa says anyone else could be responsible for the incident and that there is not a strong case against his client.
He says Salawai has not admitted to anything and that the defence is requesting CCTV footage from the Lami Town area to support his alibi.
He also says that Salawai’s DNA was taken without his knowledge.
Justice Goundar told him to make all requests to the State first.
Principal Legal Officer for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sadaf Shameem says she does not agree that the case is weak.
Shameem clarified to the court that the charges are based on the last seen concept, unexplained injuries on Salawai and an eyewitness.
Shameem adds that the cause of death is believed to be fatal drowning, and they are still waiting for the post-mortem report.
Justice Goundar says it would not be easy for two accused individuals to drown a trained police officer.
The matter has been adjourned to the 27th of March for a bail application hearing.
The two men, along with another individual, are alleged to have, between the 21st of February and the 22nd of February , 2026, aided and abetted in causing injuries to Police Constable Racagi, resulting in his death.
Racagi’s body was found in the sea near the Lami Oceania Wesley Church on Sunday, the 22nd of February.
Constable Racagi was allegedly assaulted by the men while he was on foot patrol.
