AG to Take Over OSP Prosecutions After High Court Ruling – Deputy Attorney-General
High Court orders transfer of OSP prosecutions pending constitutional authorisation
- High Court orders Attorney-General to take over all ongoing OSP prosecutions.
- Case questioned whether OSP had proper authorisation to prosecute.
- Deputy Attorney-General says steps are underway to ensure smooth transfer of cases
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has announced that the Attorney-General will assume control of all ongoing cases handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor following a High Court directive.
He explained that the court ordered the transfer of all prosecutions from the OSP to the Attorney-General until the anti-corruption body secures the necessary constitutional authorisation to independently prosecute cases.
The ruling arose from a legal challenge by Peter Archibald Hyde, who questioned whether the OSP had obtained approval from the Attorney-General to initiate and pursue prosecutions.
His legal team argued that both the Constitution and the OSP Act require such authorisation. Court proceedings revealed that the OSP could not provide evidence confirming it had secured the required approval.
Dr Justice Srem-Sai affirmed that the Attorney-General will fully comply with the court’s directive, stressing that there will be no attempt to disregard the ruling.
He further indicated that steps will be taken in the coming days to implement the order and ensure a smooth transition of all affected cases.
