The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption spent approximately $19,022 on the investigation and prosecution of former Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde.
The figure was revealed in a parliamentary response by Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga to a written question from Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu.
Mr Seruiratu had asked the minister to inform Parliament of the total amount spent by FICAC investigating and prosecuting Mr Pryde.
According to the response, approximately $11,000 represented FICAC’s internal investigation and legal costs attributable to staff time.
A further $8,022 was incurred in New Zealand in relation to the service of court documents and associated processes.
“For context, the charges concerned an alleged total of $193,326.64, comprising alleged gratuity payments, alleged reimbursement monies received contrary to applicable procurement requirements, and alleged airline reimbursement monies,” Mr Turaga said.
It said FICAC’s estimated expenditure of $19,022 should be considered in the context of the nature and financial value of the matters that were the subject of the proceedings.
The disclosure comes after FICAC discontinued its legal proceedings against Mr Pryde in the Suva Magistrates Court last month. FICAC said at the time that it had been unable to effect service on Mr Pryde in New Zealand despite attempts to do so.
FICAC entered a nolle prosequi on July 22, bringing the existing proceedings to an end. The commission said the allegations against Mr Pryde had not been determined by the court and that the decision did not prevent subsequent proceedings based on the same facts.
The proceedings related to allegations concerning payments and reimbursements totalling $193,326.64 received during Mr Pryde’s tenure as DPP.
