Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration regarding the rescheduling of his tribunal hearing. Recently, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced the intended hearing dates. These were set to take place from next Monday up until August 30.
However, Pryde revealed yesterday that the hearing has 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 tribunal, composed of three judges, has not provided him with the necessary disclosures to fully comprehend the allegations against him concerning superannuation.
Pryde was suspended from his position as DPP in April of the previous year, reportedly due to his interactions with the former Attorney General at an official event. The JSC later added a charge involving an alleged overpayment of superannuation, which Pryde has denied.
“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 said it should continue to be paid,” he noted. He further emphasized that the situation has lingered for almost 17 months without resolution and criticized the JSC for not addressing the issue surrounding the suspension of his salary.
This publication has contacted the JSC for further comment and is awaiting a response.