Following the suspension of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, the Attorney General, Siromi Turaga has come out and alleged that Pryde spent about 30 to 45 minutes conversing alone with former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at the Japanese Ambassador's reception in full view of those present last month.
Turaga says the DPP did this when files concerning Voreqe Bainimarama, Sitiveni Qiliho and Sayed-Khaiyum were with the DPP.
He says this is an alleged act of misconduct or misbehaviour.
The Attorney General says he had summoned Pryde to explain, at first instance, Pryde was defensive but he later allegedly admitted his mistake.
Turaga says Pryde will be subject of a fair hearing before a Tribunal as required under the Constitution when there is an alleged misconduct or misbehaviour.
He also says the decision was made prior to the press release by the DPP today.
The Judicial Services Commission made the decision on Pryde and conveyed it to the President for endorsement.
Pryde had released a statement earlier today giving an update regarding high profile cases awaiting the decision of the DPPs Office.
fijivillage News has tried to speak to Pryde.
According to the Constitution, the DPP shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission following consultation by the Judicial Services Commission with the Attorney-General.
The President may, on the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission following consultation by it with the Attorney-General, appoint a person to act as the DPP during any period or during all periods, when the office of the DPP is vacant or when the DPP is absent from duty or from Fiji or is, for any reason, unable to perform the functions of office.
The DPP may be removed from office for inability to perform the functions of his or her office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour, and may not otherwise be removed.
The procedure for removal of the DPP from office shall be the same as the procedure for removal of a judicial officer.
Former Deputy DPP, Ratu David Toganivalu has been appointed the Acting DPP by the President.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has today provided an update on high profile dockets currently under consideration by the office which includes suspected charges for Sitiveni Rabuka, Voreqe Bainimarama, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Sitiveni Qiliho, Sakiasi Ditoka, Mohammed Saneem, Ili Vunisuwai and Mesake Waqa.
The DPPs Office confirms that they have received a police docket on 5th April 2023 for a suspected charge of urging political violence and urging communal antagonism for Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Sakiasi Ditoka.
A legal officer has been allocated for advice but no decision has been made as yet.
It also says for the docket received by their registry on 17th February 2023 regarding former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, former CID Director Mesake Waqa and former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, a decision was made to charge Bainimarama and Qiliho for abuse of office on 9th March 2023, and the files were sent back to police for further investigation on Sayed-Khaiyum and Waqa.
A docket was also received by their registry on 27th February 2023 for Voreqe Bainimarama with a suspected charge of sedition.
The Office of the DPP says this has been allocated to a legal officer, the advice was completed but returned to the legal officer for further analysis. No decision has been made as yet.
A police docket was received on 4th April 2023 for Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem for a suspected charge of bribery.
The DPPs Office says a legal officer has been allocated for advice but no decision has been made as yet.
On the 5th of April 2023, a docket was received for a suspected charge of malicious act against Sitiveni Qiliho.
The Office of the DPP has allocated a legal officer for this and there is no decision yet.
Also on the 5th of April 2023, a docket was received for a suspected charge of inciting communal antagonism for Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
This has been allocated to a legal officer for advice and there is no decision yet.
A police docket has also been received for President of the Methodist Church, Ili Vunisuwai for the suspected charge of urging political violence and urging communal antagonism. A legal officer has been allocated for advice.
The Office of the DPP says when the police complete an investigation following a complaint, the file is often sent to the ODPP for further advice or decision on charge.
Once the file has been received by the ODPP registry, it is allocated to a legal officer to provide a formal advice.
The file is then forwarded to a manager before recommendations are given to the DPP for final decision.
The DPPs Office says sometimes during this process, the file is sent back to the police for further investigation, and sometimes the file is sent back to the legal officer to provide further legal advice on aspects of the evidence.
It says this process can often be time consuming, but it is important that decisions are not rushed and the right decision is made based on the evidence according to the law.
The Office of the DPP says a charge is only ever filed if there is a reasonable prospect for conviction, and it is in the public interest.
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