Summoned to court, but the magistrate and lawyers not ready

Mar 07, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I was summoned as a witness to appear in Court at the Election Fraud Case today (6^th March), to be present at the Court at 8:30 a.m. On arrival I was shown to a school bench downstairs by a Police Sergeant (described as a waiting room) who informed me that the Court was not yet open.

I noted, as I sat there in increasing discomfort, that the various lawyers involved began rolling in around 9:30 a.m to 10:00 a.m, including the lead defence lawyer, Mr. Nigel Hughes.

There is a long flight of two (2) sets of stairs to get to the Court. Hardly suitable for an elderly person. Having heard nothing further, at about 10:00 a.m I made the effort, climbed the stairs and entered the courtroom, which is at least air-conditioned and has chairs, to discover that arguments were still proceeding, leading to the eventual postponement by the Magistrate to the 2^ndApril, 2024.

While in the Court my name was called, and I remarked that I was present in the Court and fed-up for having been made to wait in this fashion at my age. I write this letter to point out that it is utterly disgraceful for the Court to summon anyone, never mind anyone at my age, to be present at 8:30 a.m when the Magistrate and the lawyers involved presume to attend Court much later than the time the witnesses are summoned and, worse, that absolutely no provision is made for elderly persons attending the Court.

I was made to suffer a similar indignity when attending a traffic court case, since last year February, which was not my fault since two (2) cars ran into the back of my car and which, to date, is yet to be settled. It is certainly time that the Chancellor of the Judiciary revisit, in my view, the administration of our Courts in what is supposed to be a civilized country.

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