Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde has confirmed he is now facing a fresh set of allegations that is going to delay his return to work.
He was scheduled to resume his duties from Monday.
“Late on Friday 17th January 2025, I received a letter from the Hon. Chief Justice requesting me to respond to a further series of allegations of misbehaviour allegedly committed by me as DPP,” said Mr Pryde in a statement today.
“These allegations have been made by Nancy Tikoisuva after she says she reviewed my personal file when it had been returned to the ODPP after the conclusion of the Tribunal hearing.”
“She has specifically requested that the Honourable Chief Justice suspend me and set up another Tribunal to hear the fresh allegations she has made against me.”
Mr Pryde adds he rejects these new allegations.
“The allegations are numerous and detailed and will require time and my full attention for me to address them and provide the various original documents which I will need to locate in order to refute them.”
“This is an extremely onerous exercise locating documents stretching back to 2012 which have already been subject to government audit and will require a detailed search.”
“I have been given 14 days to respond.”
Mr Pryde said the seriousness of the allegations and the potential for yet another Tribunal to be established to investigate these claims means that he will need to expend considerable effort over the next two weeks in order to provide the necessary responses and documentation to the Hon. Chief Justice within the timeframe.
“This is why it is necessary for me to fully address the complaints and try to prevent another Tribunal from being established and potentially another 21-month wait for a conclusion.”
“I have therefore informed His Excellency, the President, that I intend to return and resume my duties after I have dealt with these latest allegations on Monday 3rd February 2025.”
“I apologise to the President, the Prime Minister, the Fijian people, and the staff of the ODPP for the delay in my return to work but clearly impediments are being placed in my way over which I have no control and which require my full attention.”
“I am convinced that any investigation will again clear me of wrongdoing.”
