Zarina Bi, the Assistant Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), recently informed the Court that there are no official records authorizing the monthly superannuation payment of $1,000 to the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde. Bi noted that Pryde’s employment contract does not specify this superannuation amount.
She stated that the JSC had reached out to Pryde to provide clarity on who approved the payments. This inquiry was initiated by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who also serves as the Chairperson of the JSC. Bi confirmed that Pryde has a base salary of $250,000 and emphasized that any financial disbursements from the JSC must be approved following constitutional procedures, which involve recommendations from the Office of the Attorney-General and the President’s approval.
During the court proceedings, Fiji Law Society representative Laurel Vaurasi sought clarity on whether any records were missing at the time of Bi’s appointment in 2013. Bi clarified that the only missing documentation pertains to the authorization of the monthly $1,000 payment to Pryde. Justice Tuilevuka pointed out that this amount seemed to have been understood as part of Pryde’s remuneration since his tenure began as Solicitor-General in 2007.
Bi asserted that the records associated with the JSC are meticulously maintained within both the JSC and the Office of the Chief Justice. However, she reiterated that Pryde was instructed to submit the necessary documentation to the Commission.
As the tribunal reviews allegations of misconduct against Pryde, there are concerns surrounding his interactions with political figure Sayed-Khaiyum during a period of investigation. Notably, on December 4, 2023, it was highlighted that Pryde was still receiving the $1,000 monthly payment without the appropriate approvals.
The trial is ongoing, and the tribunal continues to assess the circumstances surrounding Pryde’s case.
In summary, the situation reflects concerns about governance and adherence to proper protocols in public service payments, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Moving forward, this case may serve as a crucial reminder of the need for clear authorization processes to prevent potential misconduct.
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