Resident Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa issued a reluctant ruling today regarding the application made by former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to consolidate charges against him and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem. Magistrate Boseiwaqa stated that he was unable to hear the arguments from both the Defense and the State as the case is currently under the jurisdiction of Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.
Both accused individuals were present in court; however, Sayed-Khaiyum has been excused from the next session scheduled for Tuesday. Sayed-Khaiyum faces a charge of abuse of office, linked to a report made by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa. It is alleged that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum with Saneem without the necessary consent from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. It is alleged that between June 1 and July 31, 2022, during his tenure as Supervisor of Elections, Saneem unlawfully solicited and received a tax relief benefit exceeding $50,000 on his back pay from a senior Government official.