The defense team for former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has retracted their request to modify bail conditions that would have permitted him to travel to Singapore for a medical assessment. Sayed-Khaiyum appeared in court before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning. His lawyer, Devanesh Sharma from Suva, informed the court that they would explore other avenues under the Bail Act.
Sayed-Khaiyum is facing one charge of abuse of office, stemming from a report made by the Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa. The allegation claims that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, he signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and the then Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem.
It is alleged that Sayed-Khaiyum approved the government covering Saneem’s taxes without necessary consent from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President. Saneem is himself charged with one count of Receiving a Corrupt Benefit, accused of obtaining over $50,000 in tax relief for his back pay without lawful authority between June 1 and July 31, 2022.
The case is scheduled to resume on August 20.