Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has voiced his frustration over the rescheduling of the tribunal hearing for his case. In a statement last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, announced that Mr. Pryde had been informed about the planned hearing date.
Originally, the hearing was set to take place from next Monday until August 30. However, Mr. Pryde reported yesterday that he had been notified about the postponement of these dates.
“I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of August 19 to August 31, 2024, have been vacated,” he stated. “I am very disappointed that the tribunal of three judges constituted to hear the allegations against me still has not provided me with the disclosures I need to adequately understand the charges regarding the superannuation.”
Mr. Pryde was suspended from his position as DPP last April, which he claims was due to being seen speaking with the former Attorney General at an official event. A year later, he was faced with an additional charge regarding an alleged overpayment of superannuation, a claim he has denied.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the necessary disclosures and that the tribunal has yet to establish a new hearing date while my salary remains suspended, five weeks after the Prime Minister indicated it should continue to be paid,” Mr. Pryde said. “This matter is approaching its 17th month without resolution, and the JSC is refusing to address the issue of my salary’s unilateral suspension.”
This publication has contacted the Judicial Service Commission for a comment and is currently awaiting a response.