The Assistant Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Zarina Bi, informed the court that there are no official records authorizing the monthly superannuation payment of US$1000 to Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Bi clarified that Pryde’s employment contract does not specify an amount for his superannuation benefits.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that the JSC had requested Pryde to clarify who authorized the payments, through a letter from Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who also serves as Chairperson of the JSC. Bi stated that Pryde’s base salary was reported as $250,000 and emphasized that the approval for payments should align with constitutional mandates involving recommendations from the Office of the Attorney-General and the President.
Further inquiries by Laurel Vaurasi from the Fiji Law Society confirmed to the court that aside from the US$1000 payment, records during Bi’s appointment as Assistant Secretary to the JSC in 2013 were intact. Justice Tuilevuka noted that the payment to Pryde was believed to date back to when he was appointed as Solicitor-General in 2007 and questioned the origins of this understanding, to which Bi responded that it should be documented in Pryde’s files.
Bi reiterated that the JSC maintains diligent records and has requested that Pryde provide necessary documentation regarding the payment. The tribunal is currently investigating allegations of misbehavior against Pryde and may recommend his removal from the DPP position to the President.
The situation appears to be unfolding as a significant legal matter, with the trial continuing. Discussions have also indicated potential impropriety surrounding the payments, especially as records do not support the legitimacy of the ongoing US$1,000 monthly payments.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and clear documentation in public service roles. As the tribunal investigates these matters, there is hope for a transparent resolution that upholds the integrity of Fiji’s legal institutions.
In summary, the lack of records related to Pryde’s superannuation payments raises serious questions about governance and communication within the JSC, and the outcomes of the ongoing trial could set important precedents for similar cases in the future.
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