Jurors strike again over 10 months unpaid allowances

All indictable cases, including murder, that are pending at the High Courts have been adjourned following another strike by the jurors.

The strike, which started effectively on May 16, has led to the adjournment of all cases that required jury presence.

The latest strike action is related to 10 months of 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, the criminal judges stated that the jurors claimed their allowances had been in arrears for 10 months.

A copy of the letter was sighted by Starrfm.com.gh, stating that "the absence is due to the non-payment of our allowance for February 2023 and from July 2023 to May 2024 (10 months of allowance in arrears)."

The letter stated as follows: "We wish to respectfully bring to your attention that, effective Thursday, May 16, 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 months' 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 payment in May, and upon follow-up, we have been told there is no money. We regret any inconvenience our absence may cause to the expeditious delivery of justice."

According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, all cases involving the jurors have suffered adjournments until further notice.