An investigation by the Attorney General’s office has concluded that payment vouchers attributed to the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, were not approved transactions. This revelation was made by Principal Accounts Officer Paula Naitoka during the tribunal’s concluding session regarding allegations against Mr. Pryde for receiving unapproved payments.
Mr. Naitoka disclosed that while the investigation process was limited in scope, they identified two payment vouchers dating from January 2011, coinciding with the year Mr. Pryde was appointed to his position. He acknowledged that the timeframe for conducting the investigation was constricted and noted that while he could not affirm the completeness of records related to Mr. Pryde’s payment history from 2007, it was possible that additional records existed which remained unchecked.
In Mr. Naitoka’s view, the specific clause governing Mr. Pryde’s financial transactions should have undergone further scrutiny by the Judicial Service Commission. He emphasized the need for a clearer stipulation regarding the permissible payment amounts, highlighting a gap in the contract drafting process.
Auditor General Finau Nagera supported these observations, indicating that further clarification on Mr. Pryde’s payroll was necessary. She pointed out that payroll documentation must provide both a numerical amount and a detailed explanation of how it was determined. It was noted that the irregularities in Mr. Pryde’s payments came to light only after an investigation request was initiated. Ms. Nagera also indicated that similar practices occurred prior to Mr. Pryde’s appointment, yet these concerns were not addressed in Parliament at that time.
As the tribunal reached its conclusion, the last five witnesses provided their testimonies. The Fiji Law Society has been granted until next Friday to submit its feedback ahead of the tribunal’s final report, which is expected to be presented to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu by December 23.
This investigation highlights the importance of financial oversight and transparent practices within governmental roles, which is essential for maintaining public trust. The ongoing proceedings reflect a commitment to accountability, greater scrutiny, and improved governance.
In summary, the findings from this investigation could lead to significant reforms in how approval processes are structured within the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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