The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has launched formal proceedings to extradite Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde from New Zealand.
Mr Pryde, who has been absent from office since his reinstatement in January this year, faces multiple corruption-related charges.
He is charged with one count of abuse of office, alleging that while serving as DPP, “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, for “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”.
An alternative charge of obtaining a financial advantage is also laid, “for knowingly receiving payments to which he was not entitled”.
A third count of causing a loss alleges that “on or about 16 September 2022, Mr Pryde was reimbursed $7828.56 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”.
The matter has been adjourned to September 15 for an update on the extradition process.
