The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) informed the Magistrate’s Court that its efforts to extradite suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde are ongoing. During a court session presided over by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, FICAC counsel Lilian Mausio provided updates regarding the service of disclosures. The case has been adjourned until March 27, 2026, allowing time for further developments in this matter.
Mausio indicated that a FICAC officer had traveled to New Zealand to deliver the disclosures to Pryde, but the attempt was unsuccessful as he was not at home. In response, FICAC has appointed a bailiff based in New Zealand to assist with this process. Once the disclosures are successfully served, an affidavit of service will be filed with the court.
Magistrate Prasad emphasized the importance of confirming that the disclosure had been properly served before the case can proceed. The next court date will focus on verifying whether the service has been completed and if Pryde has stated his position concerning the proceedings. FICAC is pursuing Mr. Pryde’s extradition in connection with corruption-related charges.
In a related development, Mr. Pryde expressed his concerns regarding an incident involving three men, allegedly Fijian government agents, who reportedly conducted surveillance outside his home in Christchurch and interrogated his neighbor about his family. Following this unsettling event, he has lodged a police report in New Zealand, seeking clarification on who authorized the operation and questioning the legitimacy of foreign agents operating freely on New Zealand soil.
This situation sheds light on the complexities of international legal proceedings, particularly those involving allegations of corruption and possible overreach by foreign authorities. The unfolding events not only highlight the importance of due process in extradition matters but also raise significant questions about privacy and the conduct of foreign agents in sovereign nations.