The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions assures the members of the public that it will respect due process with regards to the FICAC investigation relating to DPP, Christopher Pryde and Pryde also has his constitutional protection on the right of presumption of innocence, that is accorded to every person in Fiji.
While responding to the Fiji Law Society's statement, the ODPP says they remain committed to the rule of law and the integrity of the DPPs Office, including their public duty to report on matters that may be criminal.
They say they also respect the decision of the Tribunal and the President.
They say they have communicated with Pryde their support to accommodate his logistical needs and have made the necessary arrangements here in Fiji in accordance with his wishes.
The ODPP says they look forward to his resumption of duties next Monday.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says it is unfortunate that the Fiji Law Society has not sought clarity from the ODPP with regards to its media statement released on 15th January 2025.
They says media statements on complaints received or update on cases from the ODPP are not rare or unusual.
The ODPP says they respect a person’s right to privacy and have exercised every care in the preservation of the information related to the complaints against Pryde. They add on 14th January 2025, Pryde was advised by the Acting DPP, Nancy Tikoisuva directly on the complaint filed at FICAC, as a matter of courtesy.
The Office says Pryde had chosen to respond and copied various government leaders and the Fiji Law Society in his response.
They add it was necessary to provide a media statement to provide clarity on the situation.
The ODPP says they were also deeply concerned with how Pryde’s response was in the possession of Graham Davies in his blog site “Grubsheet” as that would also contain the details of the allegations that had been given to Pryde directly between him and Acting DPP.
