Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has reported that the Government halted his salary earlier this week.
In response, Pryde has written a five-page letter to New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, seeking assistance to address what he describes as a ‘grave injustice’ by the Government. The letter has also been sent to the Fiji Law Society and Fiji media organizations.
Pryde informed Peters that the salary cessation would prevent him from defending himself against allegedly “unwarranted charges” of misconduct, which led to his suspension last year. He emphasized that the charges have been pending for 15 months without a scheduled hearing, as mandated by the Constitution.
“The way the Fijian government is handling this matter affects not only me but also other expatriate New Zealanders who might consider roles in Fiji’s civil service or judiciary,” Pryde stated in his letter to Peters.
“The abrupt stop of my salary at a critical time when I am engaging legal counsel to defend myself against the charges is a denial of natural justice,” he continued, explaining why he seeks Peters’ intervention.
Pryde’s letter detailed a complaint made against him to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) by former Attorney-General Siromi Turaga. Turaga accused Pryde of being seen at a social event talking to former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum while a police file on Sayed-Khaiyum was with the DPP’s office.
Pryde claimed that Turaga suggested an apology would resolve the issue, but instead, his apology letter was used to support Turaga’s complaint.
Pryde also expressed concerns about the conduct of former acting DPP John Rabuku, resident Magistrate Seini Puamau, and acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo. He urged that the situation should be a matter of concern for New Zealand.
“I understand this might be viewed as an internal matter for the Fijian government and me to resolve, but the issues extend beyond local boundaries and have regional implications concerning the rule of law,” Pryde noted.
“If the Fijian government knows that the New Zealand Government is observing the process, it may ensure that the rule of law is not ignored and that my right to defense is upheld,” he added.
Justice Minister Siromi Turaga, who was the Attorney-General at the time of Pryde’s suspension, mentioned that newly appointed A-G Graham Leung, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, the Constitutional Offices Commission (CoC), and the JSC would best address Pryde’s concerns.
He noted that the tribunal was delayed due to allegations regarding Pryde’s superannuation coming to light.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that he would comment only after reviewing Pryde’s letter and that he expected an update on Pryde’s tribunal at the day’s Constitutional Offices Commission meeting.