Zarina Bi, the Assistant Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), testified in court that there is no record of authorization for the monthly superannuation payment of $1,000 made to the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde. During the proceedings, Bi noted that Pryde’s employment contract did not specify any amount for his superannuation.
Bi stated that the JSC had reached out to Pryde, requesting clarification on who authorized the payments. This inquiry was initiated by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who also chairs the JSC. She further explained that while Pryde’s base salary amounted to $250,000, the lack of documentation regarding his superannuation payments raised concerns.
The JSC is mandated by the Constitution to recommend appointment approvals to the President, and Bi remarked that the payments should have been approved following a standard protocol involving the Office of the Attorney-General.
During the hearing, Fiji Law Society representative Laurel Vaurasi sought clarification about the absence of records when Bi was appointed to her position in 2013. Bi confirmed that the only missing documentation was the authorization for the monthly payment to Pryde.
Justice Tuilevuka highlighted that the $1,000 payment might have been in place since Pryde’s appointment as Solicitor-General in 2007, although Bi mentioned that any such agreement would have been documented in his file.
As the tribunal investigates allegations of misbehavior, it has been suggested that it may recommend Pryde’s removal as the DPP. Notably, evidence surfaced indicating that on February 28, 2023, Pryde had a lengthy conversation with Sayed-Khaiyum while the Criminal Investigation Department was probing him.
The trial is ongoing as the tribunal seeks to resolve these serious matters.
This situation highlights the critical importance of accountability and transparency within judicial appointments and financial disbursements. Upholding these principles not only safeguards the integrity of the legal system but also restores public trust in its functionality. It is essential for the ongoing investigation to thoroughly address these concerns to ensure justice is served and to reinforce the mechanisms that govern such appointments in the future.
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