An investigation by the Attorney General’s office has revealed that payment vouchers associated with suspended Public Prosecutor, Christopher Pryde, lacked proper authorization. Paula Naitoka, the Principal Accounts Officer at the AG’s office, provided this information during the tribunal’s closing session, which focused on allegations that Mr. Pryde received payments without necessary approvals.
During his testimony, Mr. Naitoka acknowledged the limitations of their investigation, noting they were only able to locate two payment vouchers dating back to January 2011, coinciding with Mr. Pryde’s appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He could not confirm whether insufficient records on Mr. Pryde’s payment history existed from 2007, but suggested that a more thorough review could have yielded additional documentation.
Mr. Naitoka emphasized that the Judicial Service Commission should have rigorously verified the clause governing Mr. Pryde’s transactions, asserting that it needed to outline specific limits on the amounts he could receive—highlighting a flaw in the contract drafting process.
Echoing these concerns, Auditor General Finau Nagera pointed out that the office should have sought further clarification from Mr. Pryde regarding his payroll, which should clearly indicate payment amounts and their justifications. She noted that these discrepancies only came to light when the investigation was requested and further mentioned that Mr. Pryde appeared to have followed similar practices prior to his tenure as DPP, which had not been flagged in Parliament at the time.
The tribunal concluded with five witnesses providing their testimonies. The Fiji Law Society has until next Friday to submit their inputs, after which the tribunal will deliver its final report to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu by December 23.
In light of these ongoing proceedings, it is essential to note the significant steps being taken to ensure accountability and transparency within the legal system. The investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of proper oversight in public offices, reinforcing a commitment to uphold integrity in governance.
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