Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration regarding the delay of the tribunal hearing scheduled for his case. In a statement released last month, Jalesi Temo, Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), informed that Mr. Pryde had been notified of the proposed hearing dates. The hearing was originally set to take place from next Monday to August 30.
However, Mr. Pryde announced yesterday that he had been informed that the hearing dates have 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, consisting of three judges, has yet to provide the necessary disclosures for him to fully understand the allegations regarding his superannuation.
Mr. Pryde was suspended from his position as DPP last April, a move he attributed to his perceived inappropriate interaction with a former Attorney General at an official event. A year later, the JSC added a charge concerning alleged overpayment of his superannuation, which he has denied.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the required disclosures, and the tribunal has not yet set a hearing date, while my salary remains suspended five weeks after the Prime Minister stated it should continue to be paid,” Mr. Pryde remarked. He noted that this situation is approaching its 17th month without any resolution, and the JSC has declined to address the issue of his salary suspension.
This publication has reached out to the JSC for comment and is currently awaiting a response.