THE alleged assault case between the Prime Minster Voreqe Bainimarama and NFP president Pio Tikoduadua had sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed in court.
“Had the matter not been heard by the Privileges Committee and dealt with by Parliament, there was sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to court,” Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde said in a statement outlining why his office had closed the file on parliamentarian Pio Tikoduadua’s assault claim against the PM.
Mr Pryde said since the matter had now been dealt with by the Privileges Committee “and those findings and recommendations have been accepted by Parliament”, it would not be in the public interest for a second hearing to take place before the judiciary in the criminal courts.
He also highlighted that this would, in effect, be subjecting the Prime Minister to double jeopardy contrary to section 14 (1) (b) of the Constitution, after “his matter has already been adjudicated on by the Privileges Committee and a decision made by Parliament after hearing the evidence from witnesses”.
Mr Pryde said for these reasons, his office had decided there would be no further action and that the matter was now closed. He added that the police docket had also been returned to the police.
