Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Christopher Pryde has formally rejected the suspension of his salary and benefits.
In a detailed August 4, 2025 letter to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Mr Pryde argued the Judicial Services Commission had failed to carry out its mandated disciplinary functions.
He said the Commission’s refusal to determine complaints against him was the reason he had not resumed duties as DPP following his reinstatement in January after a tribunal cleared him of wrongdoing.
Mr Pryde reiterated that under the Constitution, the JSC must either dismiss complaints as lacking merit or advise the President to establish a tribunal.
He claimed the Commission had done neither, instead delegating its role to “another agency charged with investigating criminal offences,” which he argued was unconstitutional.
“The clear legal obligation of the JSC is to assess the complaints and either dismiss them or advise you to establish a Tribunal,” he said.
“To date, despite repeated requests, the JSC has done neither and consequently it remains in breach of the Constitution.”
He rejected the claim that his failure to resume duties breached his Agreement of Service, insisting that he required an assurance from the JSC that complaints would be dealt with through proper constitutional procedures.
Mr Pryde argued there was no constitutional provision allowing for the suspension of his pay and cited section 117(5), which he said “must not be varied to his or her disadvantage.”
He accused the JSC of breaching this safeguard twice, once in 2024 and again now and said both recommendations to suspend his pay were “legally flawed” and a “clear breach of natural justice.”
“It is unprecedented in Fiji’s history that senior members of the judiciary, offices of state, and government have been permitted to remain in office on full pay whilst adversely named in a formal judicial inquiry and who are the subject of ongoing police criminal investigations,” he wrote.
“It is essential to the rule of law that you and your office are seen to be above political scheming in order for the public to have confidence in your leadership as head of state,” he said.
The DPP concluded by stating he remained ready to resume duties as soon as the JSC acted on the complaints in accordance with its constitutional mandate.