In an unfolding legal drama at the Suva High Court, both former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem and former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum are facing serious allegations. The charges against Saneem involve receiving corrupt benefits, while Sayed-Khaiyum is accused of abusing his office. This legal case highlights potential misconduct within Fiji’s public sector, with testimony from Afrina Hussein, the Manager of Human Resources at the Fijian Elections Office, serving as a focal point.
During her testimony, Hussein detailed a closed-door meeting in 2022 where discussions around Saneem’s salary increase took place. She confirmed that Saneem’s employment contract, obtained in 2021, was stored in his personal file, with a copy sent to the finance team for payroll processing. After encountering a peculiar circumstance where the first Deed of Variation was returned to Saneem in July 2022, another document was processed by the financial team later that month. Hussein acknowledged not questioning the return of the first deed, noting it was atypical for such documents to be directly given back to an employee, deviating from standard HR practices.
The allegations against Saneem build on a narrative of legal scrutiny, particularly as he is accused of benefiting from unauthorized tax relief on a backdated salary adjustment. This case raises concerns over the committee’s recommendations that led to a substantial increase in his pay and the legitimacy of tax deductions and government-sanctioned financial benefits.
These proceedings unfold against a backdrop of governance challenges, with prior testimonies highlighting improper authorization of salary increments by Sayed-Khaiyum during his time as Acting Prime Minister. As the legal defense for Saneem and Sayed-Khaiyum unfolds, the case underscores the importance of ethical governance practices and the judiciary’s pivotal role in pursuing transparency and public accountability. This trial represents a significant moment for addressing allegations of misconduct and reinforcing standards within Fiji’s public sector.