The defense attorneys for former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum have retracted their request for a modification of his bail, which aimed to permit him to travel to Singapore for a medical assessment. Sayed-Khaiyum appeared in court this morning before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. Suva attorney Devanesh Sharma informed the court that they would pursue alternative options under the Bail Act.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces a charge of abuse of office, stemming from a complaint filed by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa. The allegations suggest that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and then-Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.
It is claimed that the authorization for the government to cover Saneem’s taxes was executed without the necessary approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President. Saneem is also facing a charge of Receiving a Corrupt Benefit, accused of requesting and obtaining a tax relief benefit exceeding $50,000 on his back pay from a senior government official between June 1 and July 31, 2022, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
The case has been adjourned until August 20.