Pryde’s Conversation with Former A- G Led to Suspension?
Our job is to maintain law and order was the assurance from the Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew.
He made the comment when asked if the suspension of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, was because of a long conversation Mr Pryde had with the former AttorneyGeneral, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, during a recent function. On Thursday, Mr Pryde was removed from his office, after the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, had written to Mr Pryde, advising him that a tribunal would be appointed to investigate allegations of misbehaviour.
“Whatever happened is between the Government and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP),” Mr Chew said. Mr Chew said they learned about the allegations on Mr Pryde’s 30 to 45 minutes conversation with the former A-G at a function through social media.
“Our job is to maintain law and order on the ground,” he said.
“For us we investigate cases, give the files to ODPP, which then does the actual analysis and give us their opinion such as if they want more information from us, we go out to gather.
“If they advise us that the information is enough for a person to be charged then we continue with that.”
Adding to this, the Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, said: “The law is the law irrespective of how people feel about the law and how the law is interpreted. “When a decision is made the recourse is always in the courts and here is no other recourse.”
In this case he said the process could be about the interest in the law.
Opposition says it’s concerning
Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu said they were concerned over the recent revelation.
“We see the suspension of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), that again is a concern,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“Given the explanations that we are provided with.
“That we see is unacceptable.” Mr Seruiratu spoke about institution integrity and good governance which, according to him, was pivotal for any democracy.
“Few weeks back in our end-ofweek statement we highlighted the importance of governance and institution integrity,” he said.
“Particularly for a young democracy like Fiji, we need to send the right message to our people.”
Mr Seruiratu said this also includs investors because it was important for Fiji’s economy as well.