In a recent hearing at the Suva High Court, Mesake Dawai, the Manager Legal at the Fijian Elections Office, testified that he had advised the then Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, to report concerns to the police due to fears that evidence involving Mohammed Saneem might be destroyed. Dawai informed the court that the allegations from the Director of Corporate Services appeared criminal, involving issues of tax reimbursement and document falsification.
The defense challenged Dawai’s assertion, pointing out that Saneem was already suspended at the time, implying a low risk of evidence tampering. Despite this, Dawai maintained that the gathered evidence clearly indicated a crime had been committed. He also revealed a lack of awareness at that time regarding the Solicitor General’s office drafting deeds of variation for Saneem’s contract enhancements.
During the time of these discussions, documents from the Constituional Offices Commission (COC) had been directed to Saneem, leaving him with the responsibility to file them within his personal records at the Fijian Elections Office. However, not all necessary documents were requisitioned from the COC secretariat, which maintained records for all appointees.
The legal proceedings implicate Saneem and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who face charges of corrupt benefits and abuse of office respectively. Saneem is accused of receiving unauthorized governmental tax reimbursements, while Sayed-Khaiyum allegedly signed deeds without needed approvals that led to payments for Saneem’s taxes. These allegations pose serious questions about the ethics and governance within Fijian institutional frameworks.
This case, while exposing complex legal vulnerabilities and possible misconducts within the electoral administration, underscores the critical nature of transparency and accountability in public office management. As the proceedings unfold, they serve as a poignant reminder of the need for ethical standards and oversight in maintaining public trust in governance systems.