Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has voiced his frustration over the delay in the tribunal hearing date concerning his case.
Last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, disclosed that Mr. Pryde was notified of the intended hearing schedule. The session was initially slated to occur from next Monday through August 30.
However, Mr. Pryde announced yesterday that he had been informed that those dates have now been postponed. “I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated,” he stated.
He expressed disappointment that the three-judge tribunal set to review the allegations against him has yet to provide the necessary information to understand the charges related to his superannuation.
Mr. Pryde was suspended from his role as DPP in April last year, a decision he attributes to being seen conversing with the former Attorney-General at an official event. Over a year later, the Judicial Service Commission introduced a charge of overpaid 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, and that my salary continues to be suspended five weeks after the Prime Minister indicated it should still be paid,” he remarked.
“This matter is approaching its 17th month without resolution, and the JSC is unwilling to address the issue of my salary being unilaterally suspended.”
The publication has reached out to the Judicial Service Commission for a response.