Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo has criticized the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, for attempting to condition court proceedings on the reinstatement of his salary. Temo described Pryde’s stance as “unfair” and emphasized that, as a top prosecutor, Pryde is capable of representing himself in the tribunal or applying for Legal Aid if needed.
During court proceedings, Justice Temo highlighted Pryde’s qualifications, noting his competence as a lawyer and the top prosecutor in Fiji. However, he also brought to light significant allegations regarding Pryde’s handling of superannuation payments. Temo revealed that since 2012, Pryde has personally paid himself over $288,000 in superannuation funds to which he was not entitled. He stated that this action, occurring without the proper approvals from the Judicial Services Commission, the Office of the Attorney-General, or the President, amounted to theft and resulted in a loss to taxpayers.
Temo clarified that Pryde was responsible for the management of the DPP’s finances and had made final approval on these payments. He stated that if Pryde had sought approval from the Judicial Services Commission for the superannuation payments, it would have been granted; however, there is no record indicating such approval was ever obtained.
The tribunal is currently examining these allegations of misconduct and has made recommendations for Pryde’s removal as DPP. Notably, it was reported that on February 28, 2023, Pryde was seen in conversation with Sayed-Khaiyum while the Criminal Investigation Department was actively investigating him. Additionally, it was confirmed that Pryde continued to receive the US$1000 monthly superannuation payment without the necessary approvals.
The tribunal proceedings are set to resume at 10 AM tomorrow, where further developments in this matter will unfold.
In summary, this situation emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct within governmental financial systems and the need for proper oversight to prevent misuse of public funds. As the tribunal works towards a resolution, it reflects a commitment to accountability and justice in the Fijian legal system. There is hope that these proceedings will pave the way for greater transparency and integrity in public service roles moving forward.
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