The Assistant Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Zarina Bi, informed the Court that there are no documented approvals within the JSC regarding a monthly superannuation payment of US$1,000 to suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde. During court proceedings, Bi noted that Pryde’s employment contract did not specify the amount related to his superannuation.
Bi explained that the JSC had reached out to Pryde to provide details on who authorized these payments. This request came in a letter from Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who also chairs the JSC. She confirmed that Pryde’s base salary is $250,000 and reiterated that any payments should originate from the JSC, with recommendations from the Office of the Attorney-General, ultimately approved by the President, in accordance with constitutional mandates.
Laurel Vaurasi from the Fiji Law Society asked if there were records at the time of Bi’s JSC appointment in 2013. Bi stated that the only missing document was the authorization for the monthly US$1,000 payment to Pryde. Justice Tuilevuka pointed out that there seems to be a long-standing understanding regarding this payment dating back to Pryde’s appointment as Solicitor-General in 2007. Bi acknowledged that this information would likely be included in Pryde’s file and confirmed that JSC records are well maintained in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Justice.
The tribunal is currently investigating allegations of misbehavior against Pryde and is poised to recommend to His Excellency the President his removal from the DPP position. It has come to light that Pryde was seen conversing with Sayed-Khaiyum for over 45 minutes on February 28, 2023, just as the Criminal Investigation Department was actively probing that individual, with relevant files already under the purview of the DPP’s office. Furthermore, it was noted that Pryde continued receiving the monthly superannuation payment of US $1,000 without necessary JSC, Attorney-General, and Presidential approvals as of December 4, 2023.
As the trial progresses, it indicates a deeper examination into governance, oversight, and accountability within Fiji’s judicial frameworks. This scrutiny may lead to improvements in procedural rigor and transparency, which would benefit the integrity of legal institutions in the long run.
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