During a special tribunal hearing in Suva, Minister for Justice and former Attorney-General Siromi Turaga testified regarding the alleged misconduct of suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde. The tribunal is addressing accusations of misbehavior, which could potentially lead to Pryde’s removal from his post.
Turaga, who is also the complainant in the case, expressed concern over a lengthy conversation that took place between Pryde and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, lasting over 40 minutes, particularly because it coincided with an active investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department into Sayed-Khaiyum.
Testifying before a panel of judges, Turaga highlighted that this interaction occurred during an event commemorating the Japanese Emperor’s birthday, where he noted both Pryde and Sayed-Khaiyum distanced themselves from other attendees. He described Sayed-Khaiyum as taking the lead in the conversation while Pryde appeared to agree passively.
When questioned about the ethical implications of their discussion, Turaga explained that it was inappropriate given the context of an ongoing investigation into an alleged abuse of power involving Sayed-Khaiyum. He also mentioned the previous close professional ties between Pryde and Sayed-Khaiyum, which could raise further concerns regarding impartiality.
Following this, Turaga summoned Pryde for a discussion, where Pryde reportedly dismissed the seriousness of the situation. Turaga noted that Pryde admitted to poor judgment and subsequently sent an apology letter, which prompted Turaga to formally submit a complaint to the Judicial Services Commission.
The proceedings have been adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM, where it is anticipated that the tribunal will hear from six additional witnesses.
This tribunal reflects a significant attempt to uphold ethical standards in the judiciary and maintain the integrity of public prosecutions. It underscores a commitment to transparency and accountability in government roles, hopefully setting a precedent for strong ethical conduct in the future.
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