Fiji's suspended chief prosecutor, New Zealander Christopher Pryde Photo: Christopher Pryde
Fiji's suspended chief prosecutor Christopher Pryde has been cleared of alleged "misbehaviour" and reinstated after 21 months.
A week-long investigation unanimously concluded that the two allegations made against the New Zealander had not been "made out".
The tribunal's findings, handed down to Fiji's president two weeks ago, recommended that Pryde not be removed from his position.
President Naiqama Lalabalavu wrote to Pryde on Tuesday with a copy of the report, advising him that his suspension, imposed in April 2023, had been revoked.
In his letter the President said: "Your September 4, 2019 agreement of service with the government is to take effect immediately.
"Your unpaid salary and benefits are to be repaid immediately.
"You are to report to the chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) whose officers will hand you all official properties, laptop, mobile phones, keys and accompany you to your office.
"We look forward to receiving from you confirmation of the date of resumption of duties as director of public prosecutions."
Pryde lobbed some serious accusations at the government during his suspension, when his whereabouts were unclear.
He said the JSC offered him NZ$150,000 in October to resign and avoid an inquiry into his conduct.
Pryde told RNZ Pacific: "I have thought about resigning, but why should I? I haven't done anything wrong.
"I didn't want a grubby out-of-court settlement for quietly disappearing. I wanted a letter from the President clearing me of any wrongdoing, so that I left with my reputation intact."
He rejected the offer and refused to attend the hearing in early December, claiming he was financially unable to defend himself.
Pryde was appointed as director of public prosecutions in November 2011, but was suspended on full pay in April 2023 by the former president, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, on the advice of the JSC.
He was charged with "misbehaviour" after he was seen talking to the former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at a public event, hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Suva.
At issue was whether or not Pryde had read a police file on an active investigation into Sayed-Khaiyum, prior to that conversation. Pryde maintains he has never seen the file.
Fiji's Attorney General at the time, Siromi Turaga, now justice minister, claimed the conversation between the two was tantamount to "misconduct."
In April this year, Pryde faced a fresh charge of receiving superannuation payments without the approval of the JSC.
His superannuation, salary and all contractual benefits were "unilaterally" cut off by the Fijian government three months later.
