The legal proceedings against Fiji’s former Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and the former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, have taken a new direction with the State filing amended information regarding their case. Announced during a session presided over by Justice Salesi Temo, State counsel Nancy Tikoisuva informed that the amendments related to the charges were communicated to the defense, ensuring more precision in the allegations.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. These charges date back to the period when Sayed-Khaiyum acted as Prime Minister. It is alleged that during this time, he signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum which improperly authorized the payment of Saneem’s taxes, thus providing Saneem with undue financial benefits.
The defense, represented by Devanesh Sharma, highlighted the necessity for the State to formally request to amend the information and sought additional time to review these changes with Sayed-Khaiyum. Justice Temo accommodated this request and postponed further discussions until the afternoon session. The case has been marked by its intricate legal intricacies and procedural developments and is set to reconvene at 2.30 pm.
Previous hearings in the case have involved various legal strategies, including proposals to consolidate charges, and efforts to seek dismissals or postponements for procedural reasons, such as judges attending external conferences. Central to the legal debate is the allegation that Saneem received unauthorized financial benefits worth over $50,000 in tax relief.
This case is significant as it raises critical issues involving governance, legality, and ethical standards in public service. As the judicial process continues, the case underscores the necessity for strict adherence to legal frameworks and the potential consequences of non-compliance. Its outcome is highly anticipated, with broader implications for accountability and integrity in holding public office.