Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has stated in an affidavit that his rights were violated during his time in custody. Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, overseeing the case at the Magistrates Court in Suva, indicated that he will evaluate whether these violations occurred. He will also determine the legitimacy of the charges brought against Saneem by former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku.
Both the State and the Defense have been instructed to submit required documents by October 28. Additionally, Saneem and the former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum are mandated to appear in court.
Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva represented the State, while lawyers Davenesh Sharma and Gul Fatima appeared on behalf of Saneem.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum faces a charge of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. It is alleged that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, Sayed-Khaiyum, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, approved a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the government and Saneem without the necessary approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
Furthermore, it is claimed that during his tenure as Supervisor of Elections, Saneem unlawfully solicited and received a benefit exceeding $50,000 in deductible tax relief on his back pay from a senior government official between June 1 and July 31, 2022.
The case has been postponed until November 4 for further hearings.