The Resident Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa has expressed reluctance in ruling on an application from former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to consolidate charges against him and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem. Magistrate Boseiwaqa stated that he could not proceed with the arguments from both the Defense and the State due to the ongoing matter with Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.
Both defendants were present in court, but Sayed-Khaiyum has been excused from the next session scheduled for Tuesday. He faces a charge of abuse of office, which is linked to a report made by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa. The allegation suggests 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 Saneem. This action is claimed to have authorized government payment of Saneem’s taxes without necessary approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
Saneem, on the other hand, is charged with Receiving a Corrupt Benefit. It is alleged that between June 1 and July 31, 2022, while serving as Supervisor of Elections, he improperly requested and received over $50,000 in deductible tax relief on back pay from a senior government official without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.