Fiji's anti-corruption watchdog charges top prosecutor, initiates extradition proceedings

RNZ News

2 days ago

Fiji's suspended chief prosecutor, New Zealander Christopher Pryde
Photo:
Christopher Pryde
Fiji's anti-corruption watchdog has charged the country's top prosecutor, who is in self-imposed exile in New Zealand, with corruption.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has also initiated "extradition proceedings" against New Zealander Christopher Pryde.
In a press statement on Tuesday, FICAC said Pryde had been charged in absentia on three counts by the Suva Magistrates Court.
FICAC claims that while serving as director of Office of Public Prosecutions, Pryde "approved and received" approximately NZ$102,000 without obtaining the necessary approvals from the President's Office and the Judicial Services Commission.
"He is charged with causing a loss, on the basis that he dishonestly caused financial loss to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by accepting these unauthorised payments."
FICAC said Pryde faces a second count of abuse of office for allegedly approving and receiving eight reimbursements for airfares for his wife and child (worth approximately NZ$35,000), and has been charged with obtaining a financial advantage by knowingly receiving payments to which he was not entitled.
The anti-corruption office is also alleging that, on or about 16 September 2022, Pryde was reimbursed almost NZ$6000 for unused air tickets by Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It alleged that, although the airline refunded him directly, he failed to return the amount.
The court has adjourned the case to 15 September for an update on the status of the extradition process.
Pryde had been reinstated to the role in January of this year following a 21-month suspension.
In a statement to reporters, Pryde said he is "dismayed" at FICAC's decision "without giving me the right to speak in my defence".
"This is a clear violation of my civil and constitutional rights. I categorically deny any wrongdoing," he said.
"The decision by FICAC to charge me in absentia lead me to the conclusion that there is a concerted effort to keep me out of Fiji and prevent me from resuming my duties as the Director of Public Prosecutions."
Earlier this year, Pryde
had written
to Foreign Minister Winston Peters to intervene in his case after his salary was cut of by the Fiji government.
Pryde is a New Zealand citizen and held Fiji's top prosecutor position from 2011.
He was suspended in April 2023, midway into his seven-year contract, over allegations of misconduct.
A three-judge Tribunal appointed by the President later cleared him of any wrongdoin, and reinstated on 7 January.
However, just two days after this reinstatement, his deputy - who had been serving as the acting director public prosecutions - filed a fresh complaint against him with FICAC.
Pryde maintains his innocence and says he has not returned to Fiji because he has not received assurance by the Judicial Services Commission that they would not suspend him upon his return.
"And I would be forced to, once again, defend myself whilst being deprived of my income".