Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon. The two were in court for a special sitting presided over by Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa.
The case has been adjourned until next Tuesday, when two pending applications will be heard. The duo requested for the consolidation of charges, while Saneem also filed an application to have the charge against him dismissed. The hearing is set to take place before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.
Defense Counsel Devanesh Sharma sought the court’s permission to excuse Sayed-Khaiyum from the hearing next week, a request that Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva did not oppose. As a result, the court has permitted Sayed-Khaiyum’s absence.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office, accused of authorizing the government to cover tax payments for Saneem without the necessary approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President. Meanwhile, Saneem is charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit, allegedly soliciting and receiving a personal advantage while serving as the Supervisor of Elections.
The allegations against Saneem state that between June 1 and July 31, 2022, he unlawfully sought and received over $50,000 in tax relief from a senior government official, related to his back-pay as a public official.