The Tribunal Report concerning allegations against Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, will be publicly released following careful review by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. A three-member Tribunal was established under section 112 of the Constitution of Fiji to investigate the claims against Pryde, chaired by Justice Anare Tuilevuka, alongside Justice Chaitanya Lakshman and Justice Samuela Qica.
The Tribunal completed its investigation and submitted the Report to the President on December 23. According to a statement from the President’s Office, the President must review the Report, conduct consultations, and seek advice, which has been delayed due to some officials being away for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The President’s office indicated that this process is expected to resume once officials return in the New Year.
It is recognized that the Report must be made public as mandated by section 112(6) of the Constitution, and His Excellency is committed to releasing it after thorough consideration. Meanwhile, Pryde has formally requested access to the Report and has urged for its public disclosure. He emphasized that if the findings indicate a lack of evidence regarding misconduct, his suspension should be promptly lifted, enabling him to return to his role as Director of Public Prosecutions.
In summary, the procedural steps surrounding this case demonstrate a commitment to due process and transparency. As the new year begins, there is hope for a swift resolution that could lead to clarity for all parties involved. The ongoing consultations show that the presidency is taking the matter seriously, which is essential for maintaining public trust in Fiji’s legal and judicial system.
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