The trial involving former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem and former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum continues to unfold at the Suva High Court. At the heart of the proceedings are allegations of abuse of office against Sayed-Khaiyum and charges of receiving a corrupt benefit against Saneem. The case has attracted significant attention due to its implications on public sector governance and accountability in Fiji.
The latest testimony comes from the Human Resource Coordinator at the Fijian Elections Office, Epeli Naidrodro, who disclosed instructions to retrieve and destroy copies of a Deed of Variation related to Saneem’s back pay. Naidrodro noted that while Saneem was entitled to request back pay, the issue arose over the government’s involvement in covering Saneem’s taxes, which was seen as outside standard practice.
During the questioned period, Saneem had requested confidentiality around his salary review, fearing political parties might use it as fodder. He had reportedly asked for the HR team to keep this under wraps. Adding to the complexities, Naidrodro admitted to some ambiguity concerning clauses in Saneem’s Deed of Variation, which extended beyond tax matters to include security relocations with Electoral Commission approval.
Previously, Financial Controller Romika Sewak’s testimony highlighted her surprise at the procedures and significant salary increase Saneem received, raising issues on the legitimacy and authorization of such payments. Sewak detailed how the financial adjustments, amidst the pandemic-related pay reductions, appeared irregular, drawing further scrutiny on the handling of government resources.
The allegations against Sayed-Khaiyum specifically point to his time as acting Prime Minister, during which it is claimed he authorized government payments for Saneem’s taxes without necessary approvals from key constitutional bodies. This underscores broader questions about transparency and governance standards within powerful governmental offices in Fiji.
As the trial proceeds, it brings to light the critical need for clear and transparent processes in public sector operations, encouraging discussions on stringent governance frameworks and policies to uphold ethical standards. The outcomes may potentially pave the way for reforms aimed at bolstering accountability and trust within Fiji’s public institutions. The trial continues, with both Saneem and Sayed-Khaiyum granted bail, spotlighting significant governance issues with broad implications for the integrity of public governance and conduct in Fiji.