All indictable cases including murder which are pending at the High Courts have been adjourned following another strike by the jurors.
The strike which started effective Thursday has led to all cases that required jury presence to be adjourned.
The latest strike action is in relation to 10-month unpaid allowances for their transportation, court attendance, and sitting.
In a letter dated, May 16, 2024, addressed to the Court Manager of the Law Court Complex and copied to the Judicial Secretary and all the criminal judges said the jurors claimed that their allowances had been in arrears for 10 months.
A copy of the later sighted by Starrfm.com.gh stated that, “the absence is due to the non-payment of our allowance for February 2023 and from July 2023 to May 2024, (10 months allowance in arrears).”
The letter stated as follows; “We wish to respectfully bring to your attention that effective Thursday 16th May 2024, jurors will be absent from jury duties.
“The absence is due to the non-payment of our allowance for February 2023 and from July 2023 to May 2024, (10 month’s allowance in arrears).
“This situation has made it practically impossible for us to continue to pre-finance our transportation to and from Court premises.
“We were promised May and upon follow up we have been told there is no money.
“We regret any inconvenience our absence may have on the expeditious delivery of justice,” the letter concluded.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, all cases involving the jurors have suffered adjournments until further notice.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
