Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika stated in court this morning that they have not yet received any response from the Attorney General’s Office regarding Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde.
Rokoika says that disclosure has been submitted to the AG’s Office for further diplomatic action.
Pryde faces one count of abuse of office, where it is alleged that while serving as the 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 DPP by accepting these unauthorised payments.
FICAC says Pryde also faces a second count of abuse of office, where it is alleged 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.
They say in the alternative, he is charged with obtaining a financial advantage, for knowingly receiving payments to which he was not entitled.
FICAC says the third count is causing a loss, where it is alleged that on or about 16th September 2022, Pryde was reimbursed $7,828.56 for unused air tickets.
They add that although the airline refunded him directly, Pryde allegedly failed to return the amount to the Office of the DPP.
The matter will be called again on the 3rd of next month.
