Having trouble separating fact from fiction? You’re not alone. It would all be very simple if not for an extraordinary degree of disinformation being peddled by the offices of state and if the Fijian media did its job properly. But here’s a brief tour of the horizon of where things stand with the self-exiled substantive DPP, Christopher Pryde.
1/ Within days of being reinstated as DPP by the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, last January after he was exonerated by a tribunal of three High Court judges on charges of misbehaviour, Christopher Pryde was hit by fresh charges of expenses fraud by the woman who is occupying his job in an acting capacity – Nancy Tikoisuva. Pryde says they have no basis in fact. They have been trumped up to prevent him from returning to Fiji as the nation’s chief prosecutor.
2/ Pryde is demanding that the Judicial Services Commission – headed by the corrupt Chief Justice, Salesi Temo (accused of perjury and obstructing and perverting the course of justice by the Ashton-Lewis Commission of Inquiry yet still in place) – perform its constitutional duty and suspend him again and put him before another panel of three judges to determine the truth of these allegations.
3/ Justice Temo refuses to do so and has instead said that the JSC will wait until FICAC makes a decision on the allegations Nancy Tikoisuva has referred to it. FICAC has charged Christopher Pryde in absentia but he is refusing to return to Fiji for fear or being detained on arrival and not being able to leave the country until the FICAC case is determined, which could take many months, even years. He continues to call on the Chief Justice to do his duty and convene a tribunal of judges and suspend him if he genuinely believes there has been wrongdoing – as the supreme law prescribes – but the Chief Justice refuses to do so.
4/ Is it because Temo knows that a second panel of three judges will reach the same verdict as the first – that there is no evidence of misbehaviour or criminal conduct? It is a reasonable assumption when the latest allegations of expenses fraud come from the same file that the first panel headed by Justice Anare Tuilevuka considered and dismissed. The Chief Justice has already demonstrated bias against the DPP by branding him a “thief” during the first Tribunal. The three High Court judges who heard the case begged to differ.
5/ In August, FICAC announced that it was commencing extradition proceedings against Christopher Pryde and his file had been sent to the Acting Attorney General, Siromi Turaga, for those proceedings to get underway. Yet four months later, no extradition request has been conveyed to the New Zealand government for the return of the DPP to Fiji to stand trial. It raises the question as to why.
6/ For an extradition to occur, the New Zealand police would have to arrest Christopher Pryde and put him before a New Zealand judge, who would examine the evidence provided by the Fijian authorities and make a decision as to whether to force the DPP to return to Fiji. This would be an extraordinary event in itself – the New Zealand authorities forcing one of their citizens to return to a country where he still holds a senior constitutional position to answer charges of expenses fraud that Pryde maintains have been concocted to prevent him from taking office again.
7/ Is Fiji delaying an extradition request because it knows that no New Zealand judge would agree to sending the DPP back to Fiji on the evidence before the court? That judge would be made aware that the charges against Christopher Pryde – which he denies and says amount to no more than a contractual dispute – had been laid within days of Pryde having been exonerated of wrongdoing by three High Court judges in Fiji and reinstated by the President. An extradition on that basis would be extraordinary and be accompanied by furore in the New Zealand media over a New Zealand citizen being sent back to a country in which the opinion of three judges has been cast aside and which is refusing to engage three more judges – as the Constitution stipulates – to evaluate the fresh charges against him.
8/ Is Fiji delaying an extradition request because a refusal by a New Zealand judge to send Christopher Pryde back to Fiji would be a humiliating setback which would draw further international attention to the parlous state of the Fijian judiciary that has been uncovered by the Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice David Ashton-Lewis? That is certainly a reasonable assumption under the circumstances.
9/ Two events yesterday (Friday Dec 12) occurred simultaneously and have muddied the waters even further.
10/ Christopher Pryde issued a statement claiming that Fijian government agents had come to his home in suburban Christchurch while he was at his mother’s funeral in Dunedin and harassed his neighbours to the extent that they had complained to their local MP. He mentioned someone called “Tony” and two others identified as iTaukei who had been seen sitting in a car outside his home. “Tony” had asked his neighbours about the DPP’s whereabouts and the whereabouts of his wife and daughter. Pryde’s statement raised the question as to whether the New Zealand government was aware that Fijian agents were operating in the country because he had contacted the local police in Christchurch and they knew nothing about their presence and asked him to alert them if they came again.
11/ As Pryde released his statement yesterday, coincidentally his case came up in the magistrates court in Suva. He had not been alerted that it would be called. Counsel for FICAC told the Magistrate, Yogesh Prasad, that a FICAC officer had been sent to Christchurch to serve the DPP with certain papers relating to the case but that he wasn’t at home. There was no explanation about the other individuals sighted in the car outside Pryde’s house that had caused such consternation for his neighbours.
12/ The question arises as to why this FICAC representative made just one attempt to serve the DPP with the relevant papers. Why did he not return? Who were those with him? Did this attempt to serve papers take place with the knowledge of the New Zealand authorities and why would the Christchurch police not be informed that an agent of a foreign government was staking out the home of a New Zealand citizen?
13/ At yesterday’s hearing in Suva, the Magistrate reconvened the hearing for March 27, 2026. It happens to be just two days after Christopher Pryde’s contract as DPP expires. Is this coincidence or are the Fijian authorities deliberately trying to “kick the case into touch” – to delay any further action until after the case is a moot point because Christopher Pryde is no longer DPP?
14/ Where is the extradition request? The Fijian media is reporting that yesterday’s proceedings in Suva were an “extradition case”. They were not. The FICAC case was merely being called for mention and for the magistrate to be informed of progress in the case. No mention was made of whether the Fijian government had yet made a formal application for extradition with the New Zealand authorities or whether the extradition request is still sitting on Siromi Turaga’s desk. Why was this not raised when it was a specific issue at the last mention date last month? Because there is no evidence that any movement has occurred. Which again suggests that a decision has been made to delay matters until after Christopher Pryde’s current seven year term as DPP expires next March.
15/ At the same time as the FICAC proceedings, the High Court Judge, Savenaca Banuve, will be giving a ruling on December 22 on Christopher Pryde’s application for the restoration of his salary, which was unlawfully suspended, again by the Chief Justice, last July. There will be no hearing. Justice Banuve will reach his decision based on written submissions from the JSC and the DPP.
16/ Christopher Pryde will at least be hoping that he will continue to be paid until his contract expires in March and that the court will make good on the undertaking by the President when he reinstated the DPP in January that all payments due to him would be made.
That is the law and it is to be hoped that after 14 years as DPP during some of the nation’s most tumultuous events, it is the least that Christopher Pryde deserves after an ordeal of almost three years that began after he was suspended for being seen in conversation with Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at a Japanese Embassy function in February 2023 .
It beggars belief that we have come to this in Fiji. But it is a clear sign of the gross dysfunction in the criminal justice system and a deterioration of all proper standards that is grievously undermining the rule of law.
SUNDAY UPDATE:
Grubsheet is asking our readers to write to the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, urging him to personally intervene in the investigation into the serious drug allegations being pursued by the Sydney-based whistleblower, Alexandra Forwood.
Explicit threats are being made against Alex Forwood for highlighting the alleged links between senior police officers in Fiji and the drug barons corrupting both the police and the nation as a whole.
The Prime Minister needs to use his authority to employ all the resources of the state to deal with the allegations being made and do what he can to encourage the Australian authorities to ensure Alex Forwood’s safety.
The Prime Minister’s email: slrabuka48@gmail.com
Our usual Sunday column by CommonMan is delayed because he has been in the High Court this week dealing with a mataqali land issue in his capacity as a member of his land owning unit.
Absolute disgrace on the part of Saleshni Temo, Nancy Fancy, gauri Rabooku and Paedophile Lalabalavu Kalavo to stooping so low to prevent Pryde to resume his job despite being cleared by a tribunal of 3 judges.
When will police charge Saleshni Temo since Rusi is still reading those drug viber messages?
When will RFMF intervene as per section 131 of the Constitution since Kalou there is busy apologising to the chiefs?
Pryde’s case is a matter of national interest and it is clear that all attempts are being made to discredit him so that criminals here (such as Saleshni Temo) can enjoy themselves.
It’s clear that when the people in power in this country are upset by an honest man doing his job in an honourable way but not doing their bidding then they get their claws into you and they don’t let go.
This, when it makes into the NZ news media’s hands, will alert anyone thinking of taking an important position in Fiji to reconsider that thought.
Much like the weaponisation of the USA’s justice department and repeated attempts to prosecute people after being found innocent, Fiji is going down the same track, with the only difference being that the name behind most of it is Temo, not Trump.
In other news……..fiji’s favourite toilet paper quotes slr in response to recent discussions and community around ethnic tensions, “You do not have anything to worry about as long as we are in control”.
Another veiled threat by this repugnant idealogue?
The bastard’s ignorant and arrogance gets in the way of the irony in his statement: he, and he alone, is responsible for creating this new round of overt daily racism, bigotry, violence, and hate.
This ignominious, shamelss, corrupt bastard then has the gall to claim to care for the safety and wellbeing of the same community he so detests.
All while he shamefully and disgracefully lives off the bribe money of the same community.
Your time will come to burn in hell.
Thuggish loutish ass-scratchy-itchy billeregence by baboon AG and circus monkeys led by Santa Clause Saleshni Temo, obese Nancy, and deputy Nancy boy.
With nary a word from the lawless society president wily fox.
Not a squeak from others who have the means to weigh in. They are too busy filing permanent stay orders against the FICAC commissioner in welding goggles.
Nor from the brilliant investigative journalism award winning Fiji media as they wait for the next $1.7m bribes.
Heifer Rose, kailoma kai-india pig, fatso veejai of poo poo radio are as ever too busy polishing apples.
Meanwhile, local law and order situations are deteriorating by the day, and yet we misuse limited resources on a politically motivated witch hunt.
While real criminals and corrupt individuals are leading government with many other kaivata in senior constitutionally appointed positions.
Never would we as a country have we suffered such indignities ever before. Never in the wildest dreams would JVB’s government tolerated such idiocy by a marauding gang of baboons.
How far have we fallen as a country in a mere three years.
If they are doing this to Pryde, a NZ citizen, one can only imagine what is being done to Fijians because this government is not only vindictive, it is out to eliminate anyone and everyone associated with the previous government.
There is no justice nor any rule of law in Fiji and its only going to get worse.
An everlasting curse on those idiots who supported and voted for the Coalition monkeys.
The judiciary has certainly sunk to record lows under Temo and Siromi. In fact, under Rolex Rabuka’s government, the country’s downward spiral continues.
Combined with pay increase engineered by failed finance minister Dogla Baiman and greedy information minster Lyndah, plus frequent travel, numerous conference and all round pathetic management of the national budget and the economy, we as a country are headed for bankruptcy.
These people are acting like money grows on trees.
Here’s the latest on Fiji Exposed Forum by a whistleblower:
“This is a very serious issue every lawyer of legal aid commission should look into.
Last weekend we had the Attorney General conference in Nadi,mind it was the lawyer’s conference only,the staff of legal aid commission are looking for bonus, back pay and so on whereas in the Lawyer’s conference Manager Finance was seen in a VIP room with his family, Manager IT was seen with his girlfriend, Director Seremaia Waqanibete wife and kids were there, Director Mistress Georgina Volavola got a own VIP room and was there with her family, Manager HR was there with the family, The suva office drivers and client information officer’s were there and all of them stayed there in Hilton from Thursday night till Monday.
If the director is allowing those people in the Lawyer’s conference then why can’t he allow the office managers to attend their corporate workshop?
We lawyer’s never crash their workshop then why do the Head of Units get to stay in the VIP rooms with their family and relaxing.
If Director wants to give room to his Mistress then he should also give VIP rooms for staff who have been in the commission for more than 5 years and let them enjoy with their family as well.
it’s time for government to change.”
Well, we heard the other day from some people who recently met Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and they both said ‘we told the voters that the lot of them (meaning SODELPA, PAP and NFP, including UNITY and Labor) would be disastrous for Fiji but frankly we didn’t know or realise that they would be so bad and so quickly would they dismantle all good governance structures’.
They also said that ‘if things continue the way they are post 2026 then there would be no coming back for Fiji as a stable, economically viable and fair and just nation with the rule of law. We will be beyond redemption.’
If indeed the FICAC officer was in NZ to serve the docs did he/she have the appropriate visa? Being there on a tourist visa would be a breach if it was to serve the docs which would require a work permit/ visa. If the FICAC officer had any other visa or was allowed diplomatic entry? Maybe the NZ immigration can clarify that and take appropriate action.
There may be security footage of the vehicle along that street or even Mr Pryde may actually have security cameras. NZ police should investigate this. If anyone of them breached NZ law, which they have, they must be dealt with accordingly. They had no lawful reason to question the neighbour of Mr Pryde or to know his whereabouts. That’s stalking and or harassment. Will NZ Police investigate? Mr Pryde should push for it until they do.
NZ will do nothing as they were not Chinese agents.
Every foreign policy decision by the lima matana is based on limiting Chinese influence in the Pacific.
The big brother approach towards Pacific nations by NZ and Australia not just encourages corrupt, immoral, and unethical behavior by island governments. It, in fact, emboldens Pacific nations to do so with impunity.
I would Release my 2 German Sheppards onto them if they enter my compound
Using the law to beat up on political opponents is one of the defining legacies of the Aiyaz-Frank Bainimarama govt and the sloppy manner in which Rabuka and Temo have tried to return the favour says a lot about them.
Chris Pryde is a honest professional who ran Fiji’s ODPP with class. If that jigaboo Turaga had half a brain, he would simply reach out to Mr Pryde, thank Pryde for his services and pay out his contract.
Pryde should get an apology (which he deserves) as well.
If Rabuka does not want Mr Pryde, why go through all this fuss to make life hard for Pryde?
It only makes Rabuka, Temo and the current laughing stock that is Fiji’s DPP look even more ridiculous.
Extraditing DPP Chris requires formal applications at Political level with Ministers invoking their powers under the Extradition treaty and the Courts in NZ examining the Fijian evidence. All the delays in this process points to one thing which is the case against DPP is weak and the Fijian authorities are saving face.
As for senior officers of the Fijian Police Force involved in Drugs trafficking including Commissioner Tudravu; it is interesting to note that Tudravu says he was offered a bribe twice and he rejected it. The public wishes to know if Tudravu had reported the matter and is this matter of attempting to bribe him under investigation. Otherwise it is clear that Tudravu is complicit in this illegal trade and has compromised his position.