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Christopher Pryde's extradition case to be called on March 27 to check on service disclosure

Christopher Pryde's extradition case to be called on March 27 to check on service disclosure
Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde

Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde's extradition case will be called again on March 27th to check on the progress of service of disclosures.

The case was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning.

FICAC Counsel, Lillian Mausio informed the court that they have sent an investigating officer to New Zealand to serve Pryde but he was not home.

Mausio says they will be handing it over to a process officer in New Zealand.

Magistrate Parasad stated that even though FICAC has no objection to him presiding over the case, he still needs to hear Pryde's side as Pryde was his superior in the DPP's Office.

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 although the airline refunded him directly, Pryde allegedly failed to return the amount to the Office of the DPP.

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