Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, has been cleared of misconduct allegations and will retain his position. A three-member Tribunal conducted an inquiry and unanimously found that the claims against Mr. Pryde were unsubstantiated, recommending that he should not be removed from office.
Following the Tribunal’s findings, President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu officially notified Mr. Pryde of his reinstatement and provided him with a copy of the Tribunal report. The suspension, initially imposed on April 13, 2023, has now been lifted. The President’s communication included the reinstatement of Mr. Pryde’s agreement with the government, which is effective immediately, along with arrangements for him to receive his unpaid salary and benefits.
Mr. Pryde has been instructed to report to the Chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission to retrieve official items such as his laptop and mobile phone before returning to his duties as Director of Public Prosecutions. The Tribunal was chaired by Justice Anare Tuilevuka, with Justices Chaitanya Lakshman and Samuela Qica as other members. Their report was submitted to the President on December 23, 2024.
This decision marks a significant moment for Mr. Pryde, who can now continue his work without the cloud of these allegations. It demonstrates the importance of due process, ensuring that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The reinstatement can be viewed as an opportunity for Mr. Pryde to reaffirm his commitment to justice and public service in his role.
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