In an astonishing and unprecedented step, the judicial Tribunal investigating the allegations of misbehaviour against the suspended DPP, Christopher Pryde, went ahead with its hearing today despite being told by the Fiji Law Society that it was “unfair” and violated his rights under the Constitution.
The three judges led by Justice Anare Tuilevuka ignored a letter sent to them by the President of the FLS, Wylie Clarke, and proceeded to hear from witnesses giving evidence against Christopher Pryde, including the former attorney general and current Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga.
We have access to what Turaga said from the sole media outlet that covered today’s proceedings, FijiLive. But before that, Grubsheet has now obtained a copy of the latter Wylie Clarke sent to Justice Tuilevuka telling him that the Fiji Law Society was no longer willing to take part. (see previous article).
In the event, the Fiji Law Society was present at the hearing today, represented by lawyer Roopesh Singh. What prompted the change of mind isn’t yet clear. But at one stage of the proceedings, according to Fiji Live, Roopesh Singh intervened on the issue of witness interpretations of the conversation between Christopher Pryde and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum that forms one of the allegations of misbehaviour against the DPP.
This in itself is notable. In the absence of the DPP himself, is the Fiji Law Society now attempting to ensure that he gets some semblance of a fair hearing? Because the man himself sure as hell isn’t present to put his case. And Fiji has gone to a new place altogether when it comes to the justice system – accused officers of state being tried in absentia after the state summarily cuts off their salaries and deprives them of the means to adequately defend themselves.
It was a proverbial turkey shoot in which Christopher Pryde’s rights have been cast aside and the prosecution narrative is the only narrative that will be heard. And if that doesn’t make this hearing a “kangaroo court” – a court that ignores recognised standards of justice – then what is?
Siromi Turaga got to have it all his way in the evidence he gave today – no-one to cross examine him under oath or lodge objections on Christopher Pryde’s behalf except, it seems, from the representative of the Fiji Law Society that appears to have decided that while the hearing is unconstitutional, someone has to stand up for justice.
Earlier, we heard from one of the ministers who photographed Christopher Pryde in conversation with Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Christopher Pryde says he has answers to the allegations and that the case against him is “contrived”. But since his salary was cut off six months ago, he is unable to continue to pay for his defence.
Who speaks for the accused at this hearing? Certainly not the DPP himself. And it is an appalling travesty – an injustice unprecedented in Fijian judicial history. This is the first hearing of an accusation of misbehaviour directed against a senior officer of state under the 2013 Constitution and it is a farce. Because his legs have been cut off before he gets the opportunity to plead his case.
Nothing that is happening at this trial passes the test of what is acceptable in any nation with proper rule of law. The entire system has been corrupted and we are entering a new dark age in Fiji in which anyone who comes up against the state is at risk of having their rights ignored and being crushed.
POSTSCRIPT:
These are the photos that were referred to in today’s evidence. Make up your own minds, Fiji, whether you would have a sensitive conversation about a police investigation in the presence of a former president of the Republic, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who can be clearly seen in the first of these photos on the left. Both Christopher Pryde and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum deny any such conversation.
Kangaroo Court in a Banana Republic overseen by monkeys or is that donkeys or both??
Just a witch hunt by a bunch of racist clowns. These b#stards are of the lowest class ever imaginable and we will ever come across. The difference is clear ..class against arse as someone has mentioned. Best of luck CP. Hope justice is served in your case.
All these guys need is a rope and a palm-tree. They have made their decision way back at the start of this fiasco. Someone needs to stand up and call this out for what it is. There was never any chance that justice would be done in this case. This is despicable.
Did Tunabuna take permission from Pryde/Khaiyum before photographing them?
If not did he breach their privacy?
What was his purpose in photographing them?
Did he take any photos of other guests?
Was he the official photographer at this social event?
FACT: The Japanese Embassy staff specifically requested no photos at the event. These snitches defied that request.
With the new found freedom, they seem to think they now have the freedom to be racists with impunity against vulagis they do not like. It is a predetermined outcome by people who now have the freedom to be prejudiced – it is just great. This is their land after all.
But, given time, they will self-immolate. It is coming.
Just asking but couldn’t the DPP have zoomed in??
“Zoomed in”? The issue isn’t about whether he could have been present physically or on Zoom. He withdrew from the proceedings because his ability to be properly represented by his counsel, Adish Narayan, was denied to him by the unlawful suspension of his salary.
This isn’t some random social event but a high stakes hearing that warranted the DPP being properly represented. The JSC strangled his ability to keep paying for the lawyer he has had from the outset of this matter. It was a deliberate ploy to deny him justice and reduce the chances of him winning by a government of corrupt cheats.
There is ample evidence of a conspiracy between Siromi Turaga and his handpicked Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, to get rid of Christopher Pryde right from the start.They just didn’t want a white man in the job. And when they had trouble nailing him with hard evidence, they cut off his sole means of support to reduce his chances of prevailing.
Understand that and thanks for the clarity… Knowing its a witch hunt, I thought that to try and circumvent their attempt to keep him away, then perhaps he could “join in” and provide evidence? Its a big game and to lose because they are better at playing it then gives them the notion that they are better when we all can see they are not…. They will not play by the rules, no matter how much the “Rules” are published or expressed in this and other media so at what stage do the gloves come off?
Politics is a dirty game “as expressed by someone more famous than me”
This is indeed a very sad day in the history of this nation where a top government official is now being framed by racist bigots who have no other desire than to see all vulagis, including the white man, to leave Fiji. This fiasco by a bunch of immoral cronies can only be put on notice by international pressure. Xmas father Temo and his elf, Siromi, must go!!!
Wish you the justice you deserve Mr Pryde. These idiots have their day coming, and it will be swift and decisive. Roll on 2026. Hopefully anarchy before then by the i taukei doesn’t prevent 2026 elections from happening.
Anarchy is happening NOW. The baboons are in control of the zoo kangaroo court and all.
As for 2026, first and most of all, the electorate must WANT better than characters like SLR, Siromi, lin da and her king asseli, drunk singh and baimaan, and the rest of them before you can HAVE better.
The electorate DO NOT know better even if it bit them in their collective freedumb asses, let alone to want better. Noodles and tea will do.
That’s why we keep getting stuck with garbage like this. It doesn’t have to happen. We need to stop accepting these kinds of baboons posing as people who all but advertise their inadequacies before the elections ever happen.
PS: Inia should hang his lemur head in shame as Mr. Drunk Singh is a better critic of HIS OWN gobment when drunk! But we know lemurs have no shame.
Looks like the Native Fijians will vote for PAP in large numbers in the 2026 election. By then the only opposition left will be FLP. But with the exodus of Indians from Fiji (emigration), FLP won’t get a lot of votes. So, PAP will win and Sitiveni will again become the PM. I’m getting the feeling that SODELPA and NFP won’t win any seats. And so, PAP will be the only party in government. It means Sitiveni Scumbuka and his boys in government will be free to do whatever they want. The opposition will be made silent through majority vote wins by PAP during parliamentary sessions. And PAP will be able to pass whatever bill it wants. Isn’t that what Sitiveni and the Native Fijians want?
Expect PAP 2026 line-up to include Speight, Stevens, Nata, Silatolu, Nawaikula, and Takiveikata.
Snake Scumbuka will do so as he must shore up the ethno-nationalist crowd to protect his next government from any opposition.
Expect the Snake to continue to disregard and dismantle legal guardrails not agreeable to the ethno crowd and introduce itaukei extremists and supremacist bills in parliament post-2026.