Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has voiced his frustration regarding the rescheduling of the tribunal hearing concerning his case.
Last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, announced that Mr. Pryde had been notified of the proposed hearing dates. The hearing was initially set to take place from next Monday through August 30. However, Mr. Pryde stated yesterday that he had learned the hearing has been delayed.
“I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated,” Mr. Pryde remarked. He expressed his disappointment, indicating that the three-judge tribunal tasked with reviewing the allegations against him has yet to provide him with the necessary disclosures to fully comprehend the charges related to his superannuation.
Mr. Pryde was suspended from his position as DPP last April, following what he described as an incident involving a conversation with the former Attorney General at an official event. A year later, the Judicial Service Commission added a charge related to alleged overpayment of his superannuation, which he has denied.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the required disclosures and the tribunal is yet to set a hearing date, while my salary remains suspended five weeks after the Prime Minister stated it should continue to be paid,” Mr. Pryde added. “This matter is soon to enter its 17th month without resolution, and the JSC is unwilling to address the issue of my salary being unilaterally suspended.”
This publication has reached out to the Judicial Service Commission for a response and is currently awaiting a reply.