The court hearing regarding the abuse of office charges against former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was postponed yesterday. The session was intended to address the State prosecution’s response to the defense’s challenge of the charge, which was approved by former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku.
The adjournment occurred 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, the prosecution’s request to consolidate the files for both defendants will be temporarily suspended.
Additionally, Sayed-Khaiyum will be excused from attending the next court session. Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa agreed to this request during the hearing of the case involving Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, who are both facing abuse of office charges.
Sayed-Khaiyum is facing one count of abuse of office for allegedly signing a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem. Following this transaction, Saneem was charged with receiving a corrupt benefit totaling $55,944.03 in back pay from Sayed-Khaiyum.
During the court proceedings, Sayed-Khaiyum’s defense attorney, Devanesh Sharma, cited health reasons for requesting that his client be excused from the next sitting. The court approved this request, meaning only Saneem will be present at the upcoming session.