The Tribunal investigating suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, for alleged misconduct is currently hearing testimonies from several prominent officials, including Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga, Minister for Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh, Assistant Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna, and the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service.
During the proceedings, Assistant Minister Tunabuna expressed concerns about the appropriateness of Pryde and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum being seen together in public. He indicated that their interaction, which lasted over 30 minutes, appeared significant based on their facial expressions and was compounded by ongoing media reports regarding an active investigation into Sayed-Khaiyum.
Tunabuna emphasized that he found their public discussion unprofessional, especially given the reports of an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that had not yet been approved by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). He noted that the pair was easily visible to anyone in the vicinity, as they were seated at a bar table in a central location.
While he did not overhear the specifics of their conversation, Tunabuna relied on his intuition regarding the serious nature of the discussion, drawing conclusions from the expressions exhibited by both individuals. A photograph taken by Tunabuna was submitted as evidence in the complaint made by the Minister for Justice.
Roopesh Singh, representing the Fiji Law Society, pointed out that all witnesses were testifying based on their observations rather than firsthand knowledge of the conversation. He urged the Court to consider that the witnesses relied on their interpretation of the situation rather than direct evidence of any wrongdoing.
The Tribunal has been adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM to continue further discussions on the matter.
This investigation underlines the importance of transparency and conduct among public officials, fostering accountability in governance. As the Tribunal proceedings unfold, the hope is that they will lead to clarity and reaffirm the integrity of Fiji’s legal and judicial systems.
Summary: The Tribunal is examining allegations against suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde, with officials testifying about his public meeting with former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum amid ongoing investigations. Concerns about the appropriateness of their interaction were raised, and the matter has been adjourned until the following day.
Leave a comment