Christopher Pryde

President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde.

Ratu Wiliame has written to the DPP to advise him that the tribunal will be appointed to investigate allegations of misbehaviour.

Ratu Wiliame further informed  Pryde that following the advice of the Judicial Services Commission, with regard to the nature of the complaints, it was appropriate that he be suspended pending referral to the tribunal.

His suspension is in accordance with Chapter 5, Part A, Section 112 (4) of the Fiji Constitution.

The President in a letter has stated that Pryde is to take his overdue leave of 168 days which expires sometime in December 2023, and the same is to take immediate effect,.

The letter was handed to Pryde yesterday afternoon.

The President in the letter also stated that upon the receipt of the letter, Pryde is required to immediately hand over all official property, including but not limited to laptop, mobile phone and keys in your possession, to the Chief Registrar of the High Court.

The letter was dated 13 April 2023.

In another letter dated today (13 April 2023), the President wrote to senior Suva lawyer, Ratu David George Toganivalu to advise him of his appointment as acting Director of Public Prosecutions.

The President has wished Toganivalu well and hopes that he will uphold the dignity and integrity of the office.