EVEN the courtroom is not spared from “rotten apples”, Chief Justice Salesi Temo has warned, as the judiciary moves to tighten controls over drug exhibits following the disappearance of seven cocaine bars from the High Court in Suva.
Justice Temo said the incident showed the need for stronger safeguards within the justice system, acknowledging that human behaviour could undermine even established institutions.
“In any organisation, there’s always the rotten apples around,” he said.
“Even the courtroom is not spared of them, the judiciary.”
He said the judiciary would now look at ways to prevent similar incidents, particularly given the risks associated with drug exhibits.
“These few bad apples are the ones who spoil, but we gonna move towards remedying this problem.”
Justice Temo said he had instructed Supreme Court officers to bring the remaining exhibits to his attention, initially intending to have them destroyed.
“With drugs, that is the standard procedure.
“You always have to have it destroyed after the trial because of the temptation of people trying to steal it for gain, and that is what allegedly happened in this one.”
Justice Temo said both prosecutors and court officials needed to learn from the incident and tighten their procedures.
“It’s a learning curve for everybody.”
