The report regarding the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, will be made available to the public following a thorough review by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. The President’s Office clarified that the process is delayed due to some officials being on leave for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The report was submitted to the President on December 23, 2024.
Mr. Pryde, who held the DPP position since 2011, was suspended on April 13, 2023, after allegations of misbehavior linked to his association with former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. A tribunal, established to investigate these claims, is chaired by Justice Anare Tuilevuka with Justices Chaitanya Lakshman and Samuela Qica as members.
Pryde has formally requested that the report be released, citing Section 112(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the report’s public disclosure. He emphasized that if the tribunal’s findings do not substantiate the allegations against him, he should be reinstated and compensated for lost earnings during his suspension, which has now lasted nearly 21 months.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka refrained from commenting on the matter, stating it is outside his jurisdiction. The President’s Office reaffirmed that the report will be disclosed in accordance with constitutional requirements once the necessary consultations and advisements have taken place after the holiday season.
This situation underscores the importance of due process and adherence to constitutional mandates, and it highlights ongoing concerns for those in senior public service roles. As the New Year approaches, many are hopeful that a resolution will be reached soon, allowing Mr. Pryde the chance to return to his post and restore stability to the office he led for over a decade.
In summary, the public awaits the findings of the tribunal while Mr. Pryde advocates for a swift resolution, emphasizing the need for transparency and the careful upholding of constitutional rights within the judicial framework.
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