A persistent sewage problem has been plaguing the recently opened magistrate’s court, forcing it to close early on a daily basis and fueling growing concerns over delays in the criminal justice system.
For several weeks, the court has been shutting down by midday, with proceedings limited to remand hearings and, at best, one or two witness testimonies before the doors are locked.
The disruption has resulted in a mounting backlog of cases, frustrating attorneys, defendants, and witnesses alike.
Attorney Wendel Alexander described the situation as “time-wasting and time-consuming,” stressing that the closure affects the wider criminal justice process.
He noted that many attorneys are eager to dispose of matters before the reopening of the High Court Criminal Assizes in mid-September, but the limited operating hours make that nearly impossible.
The sewage issue has yet to be resolved, leaving attorneys and court users calling for urgent intervention to restore normal operations.
