Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo has expressed concern over the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, engaging in a lengthy conversation with former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. During court testimony, Temo criticized the decision to converse for over 45 minutes, considering Sayed-Khaiyum a contentious figure at the time. He emphasized that Pryde, in his position as Chief Prosecutor, should have remained impartial and strictly adhered to his legal duties.
Temo highlighted the distrust that existed between the former and current governments in the initial phases of the Coalition Government. He noted that the Prime Minister had made it clear that senior public officials unwilling to work with the new administration should resign honorably.
In response to inquiries regarding any documentation of the conversation between Pryde and Sayed-Khaiyum, Temo confirmed that there were no records. However, he stated that photographs submitted as evidence conveyed the essence of their interaction. He posited that these images suggested a serious discussion took place, warranting further scrutiny.
Lawyer Laurel Vaurasi from the Fiji Law Society sought clarification on whether there were established guidelines for addressing such complaints. Temo responded that while no specific guidelines existed, judicial officers are trained in ethical conduct, including avoiding conflicts of interest and adhering to constitutional obligations.
He concluded that due to conflicting accounts from the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, he had felt compelled to recommend the establishment of a tribunal to investigate the matter. Temo noted that failure to address this issue might lead to ongoing distrust between the government and the DPP.
The tribunal is currently reviewing allegations of misconduct, which could result in recommendations for Pryde’s removal as DPP, particularly in light of his recent engagement with Sayed-Khaiyum during the ongoing investigation against the former Attorney-General. Additionally, it’s been highlighted that since December 4, 2023, Pryde has been receiving US$1,000 monthly in superannuation without proper approval from necessary authorities.
The hearings will continue at 10 AM.
This situation underscores the necessity for transparency and adherence to ethical standards within government and judicial systems, fostering accountability that ultimately strengthens public trust in the legal framework. A resolution to these charges could pave the way for a more trustworthy collaboration between the government’s entities moving forward.
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