The Tribunal tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct against suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, has determined that he will retain his position. The three-member Tribunal unanimously ruled that the allegations were not substantiated and advised President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu not to proceed with Mr. Pryde’s removal.
Following the Tribunal’s findings, President Lalabalavu formally communicated the decision to Mr. Pryde, lifting the suspension that had been enforced since April 13, 2023. The President stated that the Agreement of Service between Mr. Pryde and the Fijian government, established on September 4, 2019, would be reinstated immediately. Additionally, Mr. Pryde will receive back pay for his unpaid salary and benefits promptly.
Mr. Pryde is instructed to report to the Chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission to retrieve his official properties, which include a laptop, mobile phones, and keys, before resuming his duties as Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Tribunal, which included Justice Anare Tuilevuka as its chair along with Justices Chaitanya Lakshman and Samuela Qica, submitted their report to the President on December 23, 2024.
This resolution not only reinstates Mr. Pryde but also highlights confidence in the judicial process and the importance of due process in allegations of misconduct, setting a positive precedent for accountability within government positions.
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