Fiji’s Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, has defended the $88,597 spent on the tribunal investigation into Christopher Pryde, the Director of Public Prosecutions. Responding to criticism, Prasad labeled the dissent as hypocritical, suggesting that many of these critics overlook past transparency issues experienced under previous administrations.

Prasad emphasized the importance of maintaining a “proper, transparent process” in government affairs, citing the unresolved commission of inquiry into the former auditor-general during Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s tenure as an example of the prior lack of accountability. He questioned the whereabouts of that inquiry’s report and highlighted the absence of transparency surrounding the dismissal of former solicitor-general Sharvada Sharma.

In his remarks, Prof Prasad criticized the former attorney-general for demanding the release of the tribunal’s findings while it was still under consideration by the President. “Sometimes there is a cost that you have to incur for a proper, transparent process,” he stated, solidifying the government’s commitment to openness and accountability, which he argued starkly contrasts the practices of former administrations.

The tribunal, composed of Justices Anare Tuilevuka, Chaitanya Lakshman, and Samuela Qica, was established on March 5, 2024. It has faced scrutiny over allegations regarding Pryde’s unauthorized receipt of approximately $1,000 monthly in superannuation payments from March 2012 through July 2023. This extensive investigation, which has included 29 briefings and a five-day hearing at the end of 2024, aims to uphold integrity within Fiji’s judicial institutions.

As the inquiry progresses, there is a growing public hope that the lessons learned and accountability upheld through this process will reinforce trust in Fiji’s legal and governmental systems. It signals a hopeful step towards a more transparent future in governance, signaling a renewed commitment to justice and public confidence in its institutions.