Christopher Pryde has released an explosive letter he has sent to the judicial Tribunal examining the allegations of misbehaviour against him, telling it that he won’t be present or represented at the hearing that is finally scheduled to commence next Monday, December 2.
The DPP says he cannot afford to adequately defend himself against what he describes as “contrived allegations” after his salary was suspended six months ago. And until it is restored and he can pay his legal counsel, he is “reluctantly withdrawing from any further participation in the Tribunal”.
The letter is addressed to the Tribunal Chair, Justice Anare Tuilevuka, and is copied to the office of the President, to the Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, the Attorney General, Graham Leung, and the presidents of the Law Societies of Fiji and New Zealand.
The DPP delivers a stinging rebuke to Salesi Temo, saying “the disgraceful circumstances that have brought us to this point lie squarely with the Acting Chief Justice as Chair of the Judicial Services Commission and the JSC’s decision to advise the President to suspend my (Pryde’s) salary and entitlements prior to the hearing”. He says Justice Temo’s actions, and those of the JSC, “amount to an interference in the Tribunal proceedings and are a contempt”.
Quote: ” I will not be intimidated by the JSC into resigning my office as the Director of Public Prosecutions and I will not be bullied into participating in a hearing without the ability to adequately defend myself. It is axiomatic that I should have the right to adequately defend myself before the Tribunal and it is a clear breach of natural justice to deny me this right”.
The full text of the letter below:
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What is likely to be the official response? Given the current dysfunction in government and the criminal justice system, who knows? But Justice Temo, the JSC, the President, the Prime Minister and the Attorney General are all caught between a rock and a hard place.
They cannot summarily dismiss Christopher Pryde without contravening the Constitution in the same manner as Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum did when they summarily dismissed the former solicitor general, Sharvada Sharma. And were they to be tempted to do so, it would make a mockery of the Coalition’s claim to have higher standards of governance than FijiFirst.
For the government, this is a public relations nightmare. And not least because the Prime Minister is already on the public record saying that Christopher Pryde should have continued to be paid. So Sitiveni Rabuka has already sided with the DPP on this issue. But that opinion was simply disregarded by Justice Temo and the JSC.
Will the Acting Chief Justice now back down, restore Christopher Pryde’s salary, enable him to continue to pay his lawyers and for the Tribunal process to take its course? That would be the sensible course of action. But it would be a humiliating backdown. And Salesi Temo already has a history of defying the Constitution with his illegal appointment of John Rabuku as Acting DPP, which was reversed only after three Supreme Court judges declared it unlawful.
Will the Acting CJ tough it out, dismiss Christopher Pryde’s claim that he is being denied natural justice and advise the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, to sack the DPP for not turning up on Monday? That isn’t going to fly in the court of public opinion when Sitiveni Rabuka himself has publicly conceded the justice of the DPP’s right to continue to be paid. And summarily dismissing him risks plunging the criminal justice system and the Coalition government into a crisis that will inevitably play out not only in Fiji but Pryde’s home country, New Zealand.
On any rational examination, the issues here are clear cut. It has taken an unconscionable delay of 20 months for the DPP to get his day in court since he was suspended in April 2023. For most of that time, he continued to be paid as the law stipulates and as occurred with the former chief justice, the late Kamal Kumar, and the ousted police commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho. So the issue of precedent so favoured by the courts is very much on Christopher Pryde’s side.
Six months ago, Salesi Temo suddenly advised the president to cut off the DPP’s salary. Inevitably – as would happen with anyone – this has had a devastating impact on the DPP’s finances and his ability to pay his counsel, Adish Narayan. The money available to finance the case has clearly run out. But the tap should never have been turned off in the first place and no less a figure than the Prime Minister has said so.
So on that basis, the DPP has every reason to blame the Acting Chief Justice for denying him natural justice and blame him for the “disgraceful circumstances” of the current impasse. Yet it is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Salesi Temo is a rogue judge who should have been brought to account long ago, and especially for his disregard for the provisions of the Constitution – the supreme law. And his mishandling of the Pryde matter merely underlines what has long been obvious – that he is unfit to head the judiciary in Fiji and through his actions, is bringing the criminal justice system into disrepute.
For the Prime Minister, this is a test of his own credibility. His statement to the media more than four months ago that Christopher Pryde deserved to be paid proved to be worthless. So he has already been discredited. Is he willing to completely destroy his reputation by acquiescing to Salesi Temo and the JSC by taking a hard line and recommending, to the President, the summary dismissal the DPP? Only if he wants to continue to be cast as impotent and on the wrong side of the law himself.
It would be far better for the PM and his AG to use Temo’s mishandling of this case to trigger the process of suspending the Acting CJ for misbehaviour or appointing someone else in the substantive position. There is ample cause to do so, which goes way beyond the Christopher Pryde case. With what has happened in the 20 months since the DPP’s suspension at the ODPP and FICAC – which is now the subject of a separate judicial inquiry – the credibility of the entire criminal justice system is now on the line across a broad front, along with the Coalition’s commitment to the rule of law.
As Christopher Pryde says, it all comes down to one man – Salesi Temo. In Pryde’s case, justice demands that his salary be restored to enable him to properly defend himself in a fair and transparent process. But more widely, a circuit breaker is needed to “stop the rot”, as the Prime Minister has described it in relation to FICAC. And the quickest way to restore public confidence in the system is an urgent reset – for the law to be strictly upheld from now on and for the Acting Chief Justice who is demonstrably subverting it to be removed.
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A Prime Minister already on Christopher Pryde’s side but the Acting CJ simply ignored him.
UPDATE THURS AM WITH TODAY’S NEWSPAPER COVERAGE:
Front page pointers and censored coverage in both papers.
and the Fiji Times…
Notice that the DPP’s reference in his letter to the allegations against him being “contrived” has been excised by both papers. The Fiji Sun also removes the reference to the “disgraceful” circumstances” of the case.
So much for the new era of media freedom under the Coalition. Though at least the Times and the Sun have covered the story.
The publicly-funded FBC News and CFL-Fiji Village have ignored it altogether. Their commitment to free and fair reporting? Only when it suits the agenda of their political and commercial masters.
Memo Tarun Patel (FBC CEO): We pay you to keep the nation fully informed. Please do your job.
Memo Vijay Narayan (CFL News Director) : Please explain why you would ignore a story that the public clearly have a right to know.
FURTHER UPDATE:
Well done, Tarun Patel. Reported a day late at 5.54 AM this morning after Grubsheet called FBC out but better late than never. And who says we don’t have influence?
Unfortunately, the story contains a major error. FBC reports the DPP as having said “he is reluctant to withdraw from any further participation in the Tribunal”. He actually said he is reluctantly withdrawing. The national broadcaster gets it completely arse up. Hopeless.
So that just leaves the less than straight-talking Vijay Narayan to fall into line. We’re watching. And waiting.
FURTHER UPDATE:
Almost 24 hours after Vijay Narayan was sent the Pryde letter, along with the rest of the media, he finally bursts into action.
It is now the lead story on CFL-Fiji Village and to his credit, Vijay doesn’t censure the contents of the letter, retaining the description of “contrived” and “disgraceful”.
Better late than never. And especially when it is a more accurate depiction of what the DPP wrote.
My guess is they will pay him the salary owed, plus extra payment in lieu of notice (given that even the PM said the same) then terminate his appointment. They will not want a legal action against top lawyers from NZ only to lose.
Good on you Mr Pryde!! All the best with your fruitful outcome of this pending TRIBUNAL whenever that takes place.
I suspect this is just a way to deflect from the substantive issues at hand – by focusing on the procedural injustices which arguably exist. CP kicked up a fuss with Winston Peters which failed and is trying again.
Additionally, I’m unsure exactly what the laws in Fiji are, but in NZ, failing to appear in court is a criminal offence. If that’s the case in Fiji, then who ever advised CP of this has provided terrible advice. CP is handing his opponents the trump card they need by not attending/participating.
Seriously? The man doesn’t have any money to pay for his defence and his salary was unlawfully terminated. It is inconceivable that such a thing would happen in New Zealand. But if that’s your idea of justice, it’s not mine.
The same employment laws that exist in Fiji is the same as other countries. Suspended with pay, the key word, the illegal appointment and behaviour of some in the corrupt judiciary overrides the keywords.
“Dysfunctional Government” is an understatement. This Coalition Govt is undergoing atrophy, and it all started with Temo’s appointment, continuing on to what is now known as Fiji’s judiciary coup, and the infection has spread into Fiji’s Finance Ministry, with its Minister hiding at flop 29 in Baku, and it is slowly but surely eating away at other arms of government, Land Transport Authority, Ministry of Taukei Affairs, Immigration and also in the RFMF.
Christopher Pryde has raised the stakes by demanding payment of his salary rightfully owed to him or he will not attend the inquiry. How else can he be expected to meet the costs of his defence?
Temo has made a mockery of the Law. Imagine what signal it sends foreign investors?
Pryde, like everyone else under the Constitution, deserves to be treated fairly. If Rabuka can’t do anything to halt the rot he should just get out of the kitchen.
Everybody sing: without you… what would I do with me mimi mimi…
Does the adage “to the willing, there could be no wrong” apply here? It seems to reflect a different line of reasoning. But how should one expect to be treated when circumstances change, especially after supporting an illegal government in the first place? For instance, some friends were denied visas to Australia and New Zealand simply for joining the independent boards of listed companies. They were not actively involved in causing any upheaval but offered their professional expertise when called upon. Clearly, at the time, Australia and New Zealand had no regard for good professional intentions; anything associated with a toxic political environment was off-limits. While the visa ban was lifted after a cooling off period and offering some reprieve, it serves as a cautionary tale. Volunteers and aspiring candidates should beware—when power shifts, new regimes can be unforgiving and vindictive.
Illegal? He was an independent senior officer of state with a democratically elected government But I get the unforgiving and vindictive part.
Abu Jamin – you are raising two very different issues.
What does any country’s immigration system have to do with a foreign DPP? Did CP deny those applications? And do tell CP was “actively involved in causing any upheaval?” CP too fullfilled his “professional expertise when called upon.”
And CP did not decide who should be “banned” did he now?
Second, when power shifts does that mean ignoring the rule of law? Vindictiveness is okay then?
One law for thee but not for me?
Agree, my point did not come out right. It seems Australia and New Zealand govts earlier in the piece, were hawkish and prepared to interfere in reprimanding Fiji citizens serving in some capacities to assist, through banned visas but soft in advising its citizens, not to play in our so called troubled political environment. if an argument can be made.
The easiest solution for this Fijian government is to
1) reinstate his salary (with backpay)
2) pay out his contract and end it
3) let him leave the country
4) appoint their own racially biased Fijian DPP
That being said, the key issue is that a mentally disabled baboon is running the judiciary so its unlikely he can see beyond his fat tubby tummy and this is going to drag on for a while.
I agree with your comments. The Acting CJ, acting being the key word, is part of a cabal that this Government has created and continues to allow. The Government would do well to follow your suggested solution.
As Niccolò Machiavelli once observed ‘The quality of a leader is measured by those they surround themselves with’ and in the case of Rabuka that is clearly obvious!
Rabuka and the A/CJ both fit well into the trait known as Machiavellianism (sometimes abbreviated as MACH).
A personality trait characterized by interpersonal manipulation, indifference to morality, lack of empathy, and a calculated focus on self-interest. With those who score high on the scale being more likely to have a high level of manipulativeness, deceitfulness and a cynical, unemotional temperament. Sounds familiar…..
It is pretty obvious that Temo and colleagues have no substantive evidence against CP, and are desperate for him to resign asap. But CP has a brain and is calling their bluff.
All the lawyers and bush lawyers around town and nobody willing to step forward and take up his case pro-bono? Thats not nice.
But, then again, he might have ruffled one too many feathers, no-one wants to touch his case. Not even with a 10ft pole.
The DPP is not looking for charity. The record shows that he has used his own money to defend himself. But he clearly can no longer do so six months after his salary was cut off because presumably his resources have been exhausted.
What a strange world we live in when your reflex action is to cast him in the role of a helpless dependent requiring assistance rather than criticise those who have punished him unlawfully and unconscionably by removing his ability to stand on his own two feet.
Mr Pryde will be just fine. He’ll be compensated in due time, just like the former Solicitor General who was “unconstitutional suspended” by the Minister for Everything. $3.1 million, I believe it was.
Excuse me but Sharvada Sharma hasn’t received a single cent. The Coalition government is refusing to pay what the court awarded. As usual, misinformation passed off as fact.
Wrong, ‘shocked’
This is about standing up for yourself and your principles, ethics, integrity, and innocence innocence.
Innocent until proven guilty. The right to defend yourself in a fair and transparent hearing before impartial adjudicators.
I realize these might be foreign concepts for many Fijians.
Mr Pryde no doubt can call on many attorneys who’d willingly to represent him at no cost.
However shocked you are, Mr Pryde has demonstrated steadfast courage in the face of adversity, racism, bigotry, and plain discriminatory conduct by the Fijian judiciary, simply based on the color of his skin.
The so-called stupid clowns and charlatans pretending to govern have done as much bullying, BS, and stone-walling as they can to try to run him out of town.
Remember this, investors, regional neighbors, rest of the world, and donor partners are watching. If a judiciary system cannot or is unable to, or incompetent, or deliberately stalling anyone’s right a timely and fair hearing, how could the same judiciary then fairly hear and decide on complex investor contractual disputes.
Hats off to Mr Pryde for staying the course!
Speaking of pay outs, im surprised you haven’t leapt to the defense yet of your other poor defenseless victim, Pal Aluwahlia. Speaking of wastes of taxpayer moneys.He could have been sent packing free of charge last time round if council hadn’t been tricked by Patrick Walsh. Now we have to pay. Meanwhile one of the professors who supported him (from the school that is run by his other biggest jhoot supporter) has been sacked for allegedly raping students. Filthy.
I am clearly out of the loop. In relation to USP, my primary concern is the welfare of the students and their parents. As far as I know, the University is again functioning normally. I see there is nothing in the Fijian media along the lines of what you are claiming. Though I accept that is par for the course.
Stop acting coy, Graham. You know the shit is about to hit the fan. You are Pal’s confidante. You know what’s afoot.
I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. But clearly you know best. Why on earth would I lie? God’s honour. No idea!
How about legal aid….get yourself legal…
So you expect someone as senior as the DPP to get a junior lawyer from Legal Aid to defend him on the public purse when he has been paying Adish Narayan – British trained and one of the nation’s top legal counsel – out of his own pocket until now?
That’s obviously what Justice Temo wants – for Christopher Pryde to be at a disadvantage knowing that Adish Narayan is one of the best. The issue is the unlawful denial of salary, not that the DPP should get legal aid at the public’s expense.
The Fiji Law Society ran to Richard Naidu’s defence during the committal proceedings launched against him for scandalising the bench. FLS was quickly reminded that it didn’t do so when other lawyers were facing similar proceedings or even proceedings in the ILSC – Aman Ravindra-Singh, Niko Nawaikula, Rajendra Chaudhry, Hemendra Nagin John Rabuku, Simone Valenitabua, Filimoni Vosarogo etc.
Its amazing that FLS has continued to remain silent when it comes to Chris. FLS had also issued statements in favour of Sharvada. The FLS President had appeared in FICAC to attend Barbara Malimali’s caution interview.
This is a matter concerning the rule of law. This is a matter concerning a constitutional officeholder. Where is FLS? Where are the so-called self proclaimed decorated and senior Lawyers? Why haven’t they said anything?
Shameful.
How pathetic that a country that has subjected a constitutional officeholder to a Tribunal process on trumped up charges uses a bloody Gmail address for official correspondence.
Comrade Simpson, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Peoples Republic of Fiji decrees that all lawyers be sentenced to gulag for 12 months.
To the island of Naqelelevu with you lot, with one fishing line each and 20 bags rice.
Shakespeare had a better idea. “Let’s kill all the lawyers”. (Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV)
There’s obviously two separate pieces of advice floating amongst the legal beagles on both sides.
I have very little confidence that the Fiji government will do the right thing, unless, and only should our trans Tasman neighbors get involved. Rabuka and his cronies will be a huge madua, pote, on their stupid looking faces if they have to publicly acknowledge Pryde is innocent, etc etc. All because of the insatiable hatred of the vulagi and all things associated with them.
Shame on Rabuka and the coalition bunch of idiots for denying Pryde the justice he deserves.
CP joins the queue of many post-coup victims (from 1987 onwards) who were denied their entitlements by the government authorities.
Like others who were penalised for not kow-towing, CP is in for a very long wait. He needs to go find work to survive. Wishing him all the best.
He is hamstrung by the fact that he is still the DPP of Fiji. And why should he resign just because these bully boys are trying to railroad him into doing so by unlawfully withdrawing his salary?
One needs a healthy dose of realism. Bite the bullet and sue the arse off them. Then hit the Reset button and go out and find work. All the very best.
Why has the Acting CJ been acting in that position for almost two years. Why is the Acting Police Commissioner been acting for two years as well?
Has anyone ever wondered? Is this a Fiji-style thing?
Definition of a thug- a violent, aggressive person
Aseri Radrodro fits the above, given how he bashed his ex wife to within inches of death.
In todays Fijivillage web news he states;
“He adds what is occurring at QVS is disturbing for him as an old scholar and former parent and must be harshly condemned in the harshest terms.”
“Radrodro says no QVS student raised at QVS should be a thug or have a character that depicts a thug.”
“He says they raise gentlemen there…”
What a hypocrite this idiot is.
1. He bashes his ex wife to within inches of death.
2. He has brutal sex with a fellow minister whilst on official government business in Melbourne, Australia. All this brutal sex happening while his current wife was asleep in their room few doors away.
3. The sex was so brutal that Lynda Tabuya, his fellow minister, admitted that the next morning she could hardly walk, such was the brutality of the sexual encounter.
And Mr Hypocrite Radrodro, being a former QVS student, is now pretending to be a stalwart gentleman with no thuggish tendencies, by threatening to come down hard on thugs at QVS.
Can some one smell a Jack Daniel and weed smell in the air?
What a hypocrite! And what is lame duck Rabuka going to do? That’s if he remembers what gentlemanly conduct really is. NOTHING!!!!!
What a bunch of losers these guys are. Can’t wait for 2026.
@GD
Do we have any forum/avenue to show support for our DPP Mr Pryde, like GoFundMe account and taking in signatures for petition which actually reaches the Judicial, Executive and Administrative members of Fiji Government. Otherwise I have been getting sad and having a feeling of hopelessness for anything better to come about.
#JusticeForPryde