BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has again raised concern over the delay and continuous adjournment of cases before the court.
He said such delays should be avoided at all costs as these may lead to a miscarriage of justice.
Sir Albert said delays are incompatible with a society founded on the rule of law and on embedded constitutional rights.
“I spoke to this issue on several occasions last year and so suffice to say that the plight of the high number of remandees awaiting trial needs to be aggressively addressed this year by the Court.
“High priority must be given by all stakeholders and the court in the listing of trials that are ready for hearing”, Sir Albert said.
He said ongoing delays are an affront to the rights of an accused to have his case heard within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court and puts unnecessary pressure on the police and Correctional Service apart from the extra cost and burden to society.
He said victims and the community are entitled to know that complaints will be attended to in good time and justice dispensed promptly.
“There is no short cut to the issue of delay and hearing of cases, the Court and Counsel in the DPP’s office and the PSO should rise to the challenge and ensure that cases involving those in remand are given priority for hearing”, Sir Albert added.
