High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo reminded State counsels in Labasa to do their job well when they walk into his courtroom.
Presiding over high court cases in Labasa this week, he reminded the lawyers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to be ready with information about their cases when they presented it in his court.
He made the comments during a bail review application for an alleged murder and arson case where four people died in a house fire and an attempted murder at Benau, Labasa.
Justice Temo had asked about the custody period of the suspect, which a State counsel responded was “more than two years”.
Defence lawyer Amrit Sen then countered that his client was in custody for 800 days.
“In my court, I want facts,” Justice Temo said.
“If you come unprepared, please don’t come because if you don’t have facts, then wrong decisions can be made.”
On a second case involving a Savusavu man who allegedly assaulted a foreign investor, Justice Temo asked for the suspect’s name as stated in his birth certificate.
He cited discrepancies in the name used in court.
Justice Temo also questioned why a blurry black and white photo of the injuries sustained by the victim was presented as he could see the injuries were serious.
He asked for clearer photos and told the DPP lawyer that photographs spoke volumes about a case and her presentation of documents was rough and unprofessional.
