Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the delay in scheduling a tribunal hearing for his case. In a statement issued last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced that Mr. Pryde had been informed about the intended hearing date.
The hearing was initially set to take place from next Monday until August 30. However, Mr. Pryde revealed yesterday that he had been notified of a postponement to the scheduled dates. He stated, “I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated.”
Mr. Pryde expressed his disappointment that the tribunal, composed of three judges tasked with addressing the allegations against him, has yet to provide him with the necessary disclosures to comprehend the charges related to his superannuation. He was suspended in April of the previous year, a decision he attributed to being seen conversing with the former Attorney-General at an official event. Later, the JSC added a charge relating to allegations of overpayment in superannuation, which he denies.
“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 indicated it should continue to be paid,” he noted. He also pointed out that the situation is approaching its 17th month without a resolution, and he criticized the JSC for not addressing the issue regarding the suspension of his salary.
This news outlet has reached out to the JSC for a response regarding the matter.