The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has no documentation confirming that it permitted the payment of $2,200 per month in superannuation to suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde. This revelation emerged during the third day of the President’s Constitutional Tribunal, which is investigating allegations of misconduct against Mr. Pryde.
Justice Chaitanya Lakshman revealed that the JSC acknowledged a lack of records authorizing Mr. Pryde or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to make payments amounting to $288,999.13. This figure was substantiated by ODPP accountant Sharon Prasad, who provided testimony on the matter.
According to the terms of Mr. Pryde’s contract, he had options regarding his superannuation contributions. He could choose to contribute to a personal home superannuation fund, the local Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), or another fund of his preference, specifically Royal Skandia Life Assurance Ltd. Justice Lakshman clarified that while Mr. Pryde had the authority to choose the fund for his contributions, he did not have the discretion to determine the amount.
During her testimony, former ODPP human resources manager Charlotte Nambiar stated that Mr. Pryde dictated the monthly contribution amount. After transitioning from the Solicitor General’s office to the DPP in 2011, Mr. Pryde verbally directed that the terms from his previous contract should carry over to his new position. Ms. Nambiar learned about Mr. Pryde’s superannuation contributions through a notification from Royal Skandia and was instructed by Mr. Pryde to proceed with the payments.
She also noted that under his current contract, which commenced in 2016, Mr. Pryde had directed a halt on payments to Royal Skandia, instead channeling these funds into a KiwiSaver plan. Notably, Ms. Nambiar emphasized that all superannuation contributions were sourced from the ODPP’s budget rather than Mr. Pryde’s salary. Furthermore, she indicated that she lacked the authority to set contribution rates and was not provided guidance on the matter.
Tribunal chair Justice Anare Tuilevuka mentioned at the beginning of the hearing that efforts to engage Mr. Pryde had been extensive, and they continued to reach out to him to participate in the tribunal proceedings throughout the week.
This ongoing situation underscores the complexities involved in public sector administration and accountability. The tribunal is set to continue its hearings, which may bring further clarity to the circumstances surrounding this case.
In summary, the observations made during the tribunal highlight the importance of transparency and adherence to contractual guidelines within public offices. The investigation could lead to essential reforms and better practices in governance, ensuring that similar issues are addressed proactively in the future.
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