The court hearing regarding the abuse of office charge against former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was postponed yesterday. This session was meant to address the State prosecution’s reply to the defense’s challenge of the charge that was endorsed by former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku. The adjournment occurred because all magistrates were attending a conference in Suva this week.
The case has been rescheduled for next Tuesday at the Suva Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. The prosecution’s request to merge the files of both defendants will be delayed until the case is addressed.
In court, it was also noted that Sayed-Khaiyum will not be present at the upcoming court session. Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa permitted this absence while overseeing the case, which involves both Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, regarding an abuse of office allegation. Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office for allegedly signing a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem.
In connection with this matter, Saneem has been accused of unlawfully receiving a benefit of $55,944.03 as back-pay from Sayed-Khaiyum. During the proceedings, defense attorney Devanesh Sharma requested that Sayed-Khaiyum’s non-attendance be approved due to health concerns, a request that the court granted, meaning only Saneem will appear at the next session.