The court hearing concerning former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who faces an abuse of office charge, was postponed yesterday. The session was meant to address the State’s response to the defense’s challenge regarding the charge authorized by the former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku. The delay happened because all magistrates are attending a conference in Suva this week.
The case has been rescheduled for next Tuesday at the Suva Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate Yogesh Prasad will preside. Until the hearing occurs, the prosecution’s request to merge the cases of both individuals involved will be temporarily paused.
In another development, Sayed-Khaiyum will not be present for the next court session. This request was accepted by Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa during the hearing of Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem’s case related to the abuse of office charge. Sayed-Khaiyum has been accused of signing a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Fiji Government and Saneem. Subsequently, Saneem faces allegations of unlawfully receiving a benefit of $55,944.03 related to back-pay from Sayed-Khaiyum.
During the proceedings, Sayed-Khaiyum’s defense attorney, Devanesh Sharma, requested that his client’s absence be permitted due to health reasons. The court approved this request, leaving Saneem as the only individual to appear at the upcoming sitting.