The court hearing regarding the abuse of office charge against former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was rescheduled yesterday. The session was meant to address the State prosecution’s response to the defense’s challenge of the charge sanctioned by the former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku.
The adjournment occurred as all magistrates were attending a conference in Suva this week. The case has been rescheduled for next Tuesday at the Suva Magistrate’s Court, where it will be presided over by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. The prosecution’s request to consolidate the cases for both individuals will remain on hold until the matter is heard.
In related news, Sayed-Khaiyum will not be present at the next court session. Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa approved this request while presiding over the case involving Sayed-Khaiyum and the former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, who are both facing abuse of office charges. Sayed-Khaiyum is accused of signing a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem. Following this, Saneem was charged with receiving a corrupt benefit of $55,944.03 in back-pay from Sayed-Khaiyum.
During the proceedings, defense attorney Devanesh Sharma sought permission for Sayed-Khaiyum to be excused from the court session due to health concerns. The court granted this request, resulting in only Saneem appearing at the upcoming sitting.