The Tribunal set up to investigate allegations of misconduct against Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, has ruled in his favor, allowing him to retain his position. The three-member Tribunal found unanimously that the claims against him were unfounded and recommended that he should not be dismissed.
President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has since communicated the Tribunal’s findings to Mr. Pryde, formally lifting the suspension that had been in place since April 13, 2023. In his message, the President confirmed that the agreement of service between Mr. Pryde and the Government of Fiji would resume immediately. Additionally, all unpaid salaries and benefits will be reimbursed to him.
Mr. Pryde is expected to report to the Chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission, where he will retrieve his official assets, including a laptop, mobile phones, and keys, before resuming his responsibilities as Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Tribunal was chaired by Justice Anare Tuilevuka, alongside Justices Chaitanya Lakshman and Samuela Qica. Their comprehensive report was submitted to the President on December 23, 2024.
This decision not only restores Mr. Pryde’s career but also underscores the importance of due process in the investigation of public officials, reaffirming confidence in the judicial system. It represents a hopeful turn in a case that may have caused uncertainty in the legal sector.
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