Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration regarding the delay of the tribunal hearing for his case. Last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced that Pryde had been notified of the proposed hearing date, which was set to take place from next Monday through August 30.
However, Mr. Pryde learned yesterday that the hearing date has been postponed. He stated, “I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated.”
He expressed disappointment that the tribunal, consisting of three judges, has not yet provided him with the necessary disclosures to understand the allegations related to his superannuation. Mr. Pryde was suspended from his role as DPP in April of the previous year, an action he attributes to being perceived as conversing with the former Attorney-General at an official event. A year later, an additional allegation of overpaid superannuation was added, which he has denied.
Pryde further stated, “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 that it should continue to be paid.” He highlighted that the situation has been ongoing for nearly 17 months without resolution, while the JSC has declined to discuss the issue of his suspended salary.
This publication has contacted the JSC for comment and is awaiting a response.