The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption spent approximately $19,022 on the investigation and prosecution of the matter involving former Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde.
While responding to a written question by Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga says about $11,000 of the total amount represents FICAC’s internal investigation and legal costs, including staff time.
He says the remaining $8,022 was incurred in New Zealand for the service of court documents and associated legal processes.
Turaga says the charges against Pryde concerned an alleged total of $193,326.64, comprising alleged gratuity payments, alleged reimbursement monies received contrary to applicable procurement requirements and alleged airline reimbursement monies.
He says the estimated $19,022 expenditure should be understood in the context of the nature and financial value of the matters that were the subject of the proceedings.
Turaga says the expenditure covered both the investigation and prosecution of the matter by FICAC, including the associated legal processes in Fiji and New Zealand.
