Four prison officers charged over the death of a remand prisoner and the assault of two others in Lautoka early this year denied the charges before a high court today.
Appearing before Justice Chamath Morais in Lautoka, Onisimo Raboiliku, Semesa Bulikalougata, Suliasi Tubuna and Navitalai Kanavo pleaded not guilty to the charges. The four are each charged with one count of murder and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Bulikalougata faces an additional charge of common assault.
The court extended their bail ahead of their next appearance on 25 January 2021.
Police brought to light the incident in a public update on 14 April. According to police the victim was held in remand at the Lautoka Corrections Centre. On the morning of 13 April, he was taken to the Lautoka Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
