By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Criminal Bar Association (CBA) is warning that if issues at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are not addressed, the entire criminal justice trial system may grind to a halt.
“This would result in millions of public funds being wasted on Judges, Masters, Public Defenders but with no trials to do as the DPP attorneys will be unable to perform their duties due to limited resources,” CBA stated in a media release on Thursday.”
The CBA headed by Israel Rajah-Khan, SC, called on Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, to properly address the dire state of affairs including staff shortage existing at the DPP’s office as outlined via letters and public statements.
The CBA expressed its disappointment and disapproval with the response of Armour who said the DPP’s Office was underperforming.
“The CBA takes note of the mounting demands put on the DPP attorneys and that thus far the DPP attorneys have remained committed to the performance of their duties with the highest degree of professionalism,” the release stated.
The CBA also noted that it was not the first time that those complaints were raised with the AG’s Office.
The CBA stated, “While the CBA notes that in recent times there have been an increased appointment of judicial officers and the creating of the Public Defenders Office, there has been no corresponding strengthening of the DPP office with the result that the overbearing weight of the increased work load for High Court criminal trials is now crushing the limited number of attorneys at the DPP office.”
A call was also made for all criminal advocates to co-operate and support their colleagues from the DPP Department when they seek adjournments in the various criminal courts in order to better prepare their respective case for presentation to the courts.
