In the ongoing legal proceedings against former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, and former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, new evidence has emerged during the trial at Suva High Court. Fijian Elections Office Manager of Human Resources, Afrina Hussein, testified, confirming a closed-door meeting with Saneem in 2022, concerning a salary increase. This detail supports the case against Saneem, charged with receiving a corrupt benefit, while Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges of abuse of office.
Hussein revealed that Saneem’s employment contract, retained within his personal file and shared with the finance team, played a key role in the salary negotiations. Notably, a Deed of Variation was issued in July 2022, with a subsequent deed providing allowances when needed. Interestingly, the initial deed was returned to Saneem under unexplained circumstances, a move deemed inappropriate by HR policies.
Financial Controller Romika Sewak’s previous testimonies highlighted procedural irregularities, including atypical requests concerning back pay and tax deductions. Sewak had processed back pay spanning eighteen months, resulting in Saneem’s salary increasing from $221,000 to $350,000, along with substantial back pay exceeding $168,000. The second Deed of Variation formalized these changes without proper authorization, involving Prime Ministerial signing without crucial approvals from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
The trial underscores significant ethical and legal concerns regarding governance practices, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership roles. These revelations may lead to broader discussions about procedural enhancements in public office governance. As the trial continues, it remains critical in reinforcing public trust and integrity within Fiji’s electoral and governance systems.