Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration regarding the delay of his tribunal hearing. In a statement released last month, Acting Chief Justice and Chair of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Jalesi Temo, had informed Mr. Pryde about the scheduled hearing dates.
The hearing was initially set to occur from next Monday through August 30. However, Mr. Pryde announced yesterday afternoon that he had been notified of a postponement for the proposed tribunal hearing.
“I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of August 19 to August 31, 2024, have been vacated,” Mr. Pryde stated. He expressed disappointment that the panel of judges appointed to address the allegations against him had yet to provide the necessary documentation for him to comprehend 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 perceived as having inappropriate conversations with the former Attorney General at an official event. A year later, he faced an additional claim regarding alleged overpayment of superannuation, which he has denied.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the required disclosures and that the tribunal has not yet established a hearing date, especially since my salary remains suspended despite the Prime Minister’s statement that it should be continued,” Mr. Pryde remarked.
He highlighted the prolonged nature of the situation, which is about to enter its 17th month without resolution, and criticized the JSC for its unwillingness to address the matter of his salary suspension. The publication has reached out to the JSC for comments and is currently awaiting a response.