Govt asks court to fast track Fr Czuba’s case

THE Government has asked the National Court to fast track suspended Higher Education, Science and Research Technology Department secretary Fr Jan Czuba’s proceeding against the National Executive Council (NEC) decision revoking his position.
Kevin Kiponge, from the Solicitor-General’s office, said they wanted to speed up the process because the Government was interested in the outcome following a stay order stopping the NEC from appointing a new secretary.
Kiponge made the application after acting Judge Emma Wurr informed the National Court on Friday that she would not be available next month to hear matters.
She then directed Kiponge to file a proper application to have another judge to be made available during her absence.
Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, while granting Czuba’s stay application on May 11, ordered for Wurr to hear the matter.
Wurr said: “To have another judge to hear your matter due to the time factor, a proper application to divert the matter to another judge must be filed.”
Czuba’s lawyer Edward Sassingian said the proceeding on Czuba’s suspension should be heard before the proceeding on his revocation as the suspension proceeding was field first.
Wurr then directed Kiponge and Sassingian to file and serve any affidavits to be relied on in trial regarding Czuba’s suspension before June 10, and return to court on June 27 for pre-trail conference.
The proceeding on Czuba’s revocation that granted the stay order was set to be heard on July 6, unless Kiponge filed an application to change the judge in order to speed up the matter.
Czuba was suspended for criminal allegations in relation to the online application and selection system and the court dismissed the proceeding on Jan 19 after finding him not guilty.
He then filed an application challenging his suspension.