The judgement in the case against former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem is pending, as Chief Justice Salesi Temo has requested additional time to thoroughly examine the evidence presented. Justice Temo expressed the importance of carefully reviewing the facts to ensure a correct judgement is issued.
This case has been adjourned to March 30, where the Chief Justice will continue to assess the details involved. Sayed-Khaiyum faces a charge of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit exceeding $55,000 in tax relief concerning his back pay.
Representing the accused are Senior Defence Counsel Devanesh Sharma and attorney Gul Fatima. The prosecution is being led by Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva, with the complainant being the current Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa.
The allegations assert that Sayed-Khaiyum, while acting as Prime Minister between June 30 and July 12, 2022, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum permitting the government to cover Saneem’s taxes without the required approvals from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji. Meanwhile, Saneem supposedly sought and received the waiver of taxes on his back pay during his employment without appropriate authority or justification.
The ongoing legal proceedings highlight significant concerns about governance and accountability, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law in public office. As the case develops, the judiciary’s meticulous approach aims to ensure justice is served, reflecting the commitment to transparency in the country’s legal processes.