The legal proceedings involving former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem are drawing to a close. The state completed its presentation of witness testimonies today, with Fijian Elections Office Manager Legal, Mesake Dawai, shedding light on critical aspects of the case. In his testimony, Dawai initially deemed Saneem’s actions as taken in bad faith when he demanded the return of a Deed of Variation following a dispute with the financial controller. However, Dawai later admitted to some misunderstandings due to missing paperwork from Saneem’s records. The police were called in to conduct a formal investigation under the Crimes Act, as the FEO lacked such powers.
Dawai acknowledged during cross-examination by defense attorney Devanesh Sharma that taxes were deducted directly from Saneem’s pay and not subsidized by the government. He also affirmed that Saneem had adhered to electoral laws and that the FEO operated impartially. However, under further questioning, Dawai accused Saneem of abusing his authority by requesting certain documents be returned. Additionally, he noted that FEO’s financial resources were sourced from government funds via the Ministry of Finance’s Consolidated Fund.
Chief Justice Salesi Temo advised Dawai against personalizing the issue and emphasized the importance of maintaining comprehensive records in Saneem’s file. With the completion of the state’s witness testimonies, the case is expected to formally conclude on Monday after final documentation is submitted. The defense team, facing prior commitments, has also requested an extension until Monday.
This trial, bringing to light questions of governance, transparency, and accountability within Fijian public service, could have far-reaching implications for public confidence in electoral processes. As scrutiny continues, this case highlights the critical role of a transparent judicial process in upholding ethical governance. Observers hope for a resolution that reinforces public trust and encourages strict adherence to legal and procedural norms.