Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum took the stand today in his ongoing trial at the Suva High Court, where he is facing charges of abuse of office alongside former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, who is accused of receiving corrupt benefits. This trial follows a ruling issued yesterday that confirmed the sufficiency of evidence to proceed with the case.
The allegations center around actions taken in 2022 when Sayed-Khaiyum served as both Prime Minister and Chair of the Constitutional Offices Commission. He is accused of executing a second Deed of Variation and Addendum that permitted the payment or waiver of additional deductible taxes owed by Saneem, which arose from a back pay process. This action purportedly occurred without the necessary approvals from either the President or the Constitutional Offices Commission.
Prosecutors claim that Saneem received tax relief amounting to FJD 55,944.03 on his back pay, facilitated by Sayed-Khaiyum. While testifying, Sayed-Khaiyum defended his actions, stating that Saneem’s contract was established under the provisions of the 2013 Fijian Constitution, and that the appointment was formalized by then-President Jioji Konrote. He noted that the government had agreed upon Saneem’s role, which included an annual salary of $221,974 and additional benefits subject to approval from the Electoral Commission.
Sayed-Khaiyum acknowledged that while Saneem’s contract was not submitted back to the Constitutional Offices Commission for oversight, this was considered a common practice and did not constitute a breach of protocol. He highlighted that the review of Saneem’s remuneration was initiated due to a lack of adjustments over an extended period.
The defense maintains that Sayed-Khaiyum acted within constitutional boundaries, positing that the court must determine if any breaches occurred in contract execution or subsequent actions.
The trial has garnered significant public interest, particularly concerning issues of transparency and accountability in government. As proceedings unfold, they underscore the necessity for integrity in public service, with the potential for outcomes that could instigate governance improvements and reforms aimed at promoting ethical standards within Fiji’s political sphere.