The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has discontinued legal proceedings against Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde.
Senior Prosecutor Lani More filed a nolle prosequi this morning, which was accepted by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. As a result, the charges against Mr Pryde have been discontinued.
Mr Pryde faces one count of Abuse of Office, alleging that while serving as the Director of Public Prosecutions, he approved and received four gratuity payments amounting to $138,445.05 without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Office of the President and the Judicial Services Commission
In the alternative, he is charged with Causing a Loss, on the basis that he dishonestly caused financial loss to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by accepting these unauthorised payments
He also faces a second count of Abuse of Office, alleging that he approved and received eight reimbursements totalling $47,053.03 for airfares for his wife and child, despite knowing they did not reside with him in Fiji, which is contrary to the conditions of his employment contract and in breach of procurement policy
In the alternative, he is charged with obtaining a financial advantage, for knowingly receiving payments to which he was not entitled
The third count is Causing a Loss, alleging that on or about September 16, 2022, Mr Pryde was reimbursed $7,828.56 for unused air tickets
Although the airline refunded him directly, he failed to return the amount to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Ms More told the court that the decision to discontinue was because Mr Pryde had successfully managed to evade service and was beyond FICAC’s control
The file is now closed.
