Inside ex Melbourne and Gold Coast horse trainer John Nikolic’s Fiji prison hell, as he appeals to get out

Racehorse trainer John Nikolic has served nearly four-and-a-half years of a 23-year drug smuggling sentence in Fiji prison hell, and he’s desperately trying to get out. See pictures.

Former Melbourne and Gold Coast racehorse trainer, punter and convicted international drug smuggler John Nikolic has requested court documents in yet another appeal against his maximum 23-year Suva prison sentence.

Fiji’s Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told the Herald Sun on Thursday John Nikolic’s latest appeal had been adjourned for a mention date, that had not yet been fixed.

Sentenced to at least 18 years inside Suva prison in March 2019 after being found guilty of smuggling $30m worth of cocaine through the Pacific on the yacht Shenanigans, Nikolic is trying desperately to have his prison time reduced.

It comes as the ODPP appeals the full acquittal of his wife Yvette Nikolic — who was travelling on the yacht with him — by the Suva High Court, in an attempt to retry her and also lock her up.

Fiji Commissioner of Corrections Salote Panapasa in a prison dorm.

A thin mattress on the floor and a bucket in a Fiji female prisoner's cell

Commissioner Panapasa inspects a Fiji prison cell.

Labasa prison, where prisoner welfare is being reviewed.

Yvette Nikolic returned home to Melbourne the day after she was let free but Fiji prosecutors have pursued her since.

A spokeswoman for the ODPP said this week: “In our appeal against acquittal, State v Yvette Nikolic, parties await a call over for Full Court sitting. The call over is a mention date to set a date for the hearing before the Full Court of Appeal (which will be called on notice).”

Inside a single room in one of Fiji's central division prisons.

Fiji prison officers marching.

Meanwhile, Fiji Corrections Service have released pictures of conditions inside the nation’s prisons, providing a window into how John Nikolic – used to a life of luxury in Australia – is living now, and how Yvette could live if the ODPP’s appeal is successful and she is retried and found guilty.

The photos recorded Commissioner of Corrections Salote Panapasa’s recent tour of the nation’s prisons, which included “reviewing operational issues and prisoner welfare” at one facility.

For the first time this month Fiji's maximum security prisoners were allowed on the nation's Yellow Ribbon walk.

Commissioner Panapasa inspects prison security — stopping prisoner escapes is a main focus.

She reported, however, that Suva prison – the oldest prison in the country and where it is understood John Nikolic remains – and Lautoka prison, where Yvette Nikolic was detained after arrest, “set the standard this year … showing excellent team work from both personnel and inmates in keeping the cleanliness and hygiene of the facility”.

Commissioner Panapasa addresses prison staff on her recent tour.

John Nikolic at the Suva High Court, where he was sentenced to a maximum 23 years in prison. Picture: Gary Ramage

Inside Suva prison, where Australian John Nikolic is being held. Picture: Supplied

John Nikolic is trying to have his sentence reduced through appeal. Picture: Supplied

Photos were also released of prisoners taking part in the nation’s annual Yellow Ribbon walk on July 1, which as the name suggests, aims to encourage families to wait for their incarcerated loved ones on the outside.

This year was the first year maximum security prisoners were allowed to participate.

It is not known if John Nikolic took part.

“For the first time in history we have taken out to a public event inmates from Maximum to join others from Medium and Minimum,” Commissioner Panapasa said addressing the prisoners who participated.

“I hope while you were there you got to witness for yourself what the officers are doing in public to help set up the conditions for your release … the whole world watched you.

“When you performed you helped us make a statement about the Yellow Ribbon Program which had allowed us to bring you out to engage the public.”

Commissioner Salote also reminded the inmates about the three “basic core functions” of Fiji corrections, which were “to lower the recidivism rate, ensure security of inmates and the public by preventing escapes and welfare of inmates”.

“The Yellow Ribbon Program is about what happens outside of these walls, changing mindsets and educating society to understand their roles and responsibilities in giving you a second chance when released,” she said.

Commissioner Salote thanked all the inmates who performed at the walk and said they would be “encouraged to build their skills in the arts and their other existing talents”.

John and Yvette Nikolic on board Shenanigans, before the drug bust.

Yvette Nikolic at the Suva High Court. She was acquitted but is now being pursued.

John Nikolic, a former high-profile Melbourne racehorse trainer, father of two and brother of ex jockey Danny Nikolic, was found guilty of smuggling $30 million worth of cocaine on Shenanigans after it was raided at Denarau Marina in June 2018 by Fiji Customs.

John and Yvette claimed to be on the holiday of a lifetime, sailing through the Pacific, at the time.

Thirteen bars of cocaine, drug tablets, guns and $15,000 in US $100 bills were found hidden on board Shenanigans, a catamaran officially owned by Yvette.

Ms Nikolic faced the same drug smuggling charges as her husband but said she did not know anything about the drugs, guns and money stashed on board, and was fully acquitted in February 2019.

Shenanigans was sold by tender in September 2019 by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) after Ms Nikolic lost a separate civil case in March of that year to keep the luxury catamaran and cash which was found on board.