PG Office lawyers told to attend hearings

Assistant Prosecutor General Ahmed Hameed Fahmy has told his lawyers at the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) to obey court orders and attend hearings.

Sun Online is aware that the message was communicated through a memo circulated to all lawyers at the PG Office. However, the Assistant Prosecutor General has also written to the Criminal Court and Juvenile Court, asking to postpone all hearings scheduled for today, as the PG Office lawyers needed time to prepare for court.

The message by Assistant Prosecutor General to his staff follows a six-page official opinion by the Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Anil to the President on Wednesday, advising the President that the most senior legal official at the Prosecutor General’s Office must take responsibility and ensure that the office remains operational.

Deputy Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem carried out Prosecutor General’s responsibilities since PG Ahmed Muizzu resigned on 25 November last year. Shameem resigned on 5 May, leaving both the PG and DPG positions vacant and bringing the criminal justice system to a standstill.

Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain also said on Wednesday that a Supreme Court order in February states that the Prosecutor General’s Office must continue to file suit in the courts despite the absence of a Prosecutor General, and thus, the absence of a Prosecutor General or his deputy does not warrant for PG lawyers not to attend court.