Chief Justice Salesi Temo has questioned whether a suspended sentence imposed on Nabua resident Jone Vakarisi was appropriate, saying bringing drugs into a court compound amounted to an attack on the integrity of the justice system.
Vakarisi appeared before Justice Temo for a review of the sentence imposed earlier this month by the Suva Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and damaging property committed in 2023.
According to facts read in court yesterday, the incident occurred inside the Suva courthouse cellblock where Vakarisi was being held.
A police officer saw him receive a package from another individual. When the officer attempted to search it, Vakarisi refused, which led to a scuffle. He was later found with 15.2 grams of marijuana.
He was sentenced earlier this month to an aggregate term of three months, suspended for two years.
Justice Temo said that although the drug possession fell within category one offending, the circumstances made the matter more serious because it occurred inside the court compound.
He said courts are places where the law is enforced and respected, and bringing drugs into a courthouse or scuffling with police officers undermines respect for the law and the authority of the court.
Justice Temo also expressed surprise that the State had not raised the seriousness of the location where the offence occurred.
He warned that if courts appeared lenient in situations where offenders challenged the authority of the court and police officers within the court compound, it could send the wrong message.
Vakarisi apologised and said he had no intention of disrespecting the court. He told the court he had been under emotional stress because of family problems.
He also said he had paid $47.50 to repair a damaged police uniform button.
Vakarisi’s bail was extended and the matter adjourned to March 30.
