Former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, has alleged that his rights were violated during his time in custody, according to an affidavit he submitted. Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, who oversaw the case at the Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday, stated that he will evaluate the claims of rights breaches. Additionally, Prasad will determine the legitimacy of the charges brought against Saneem by the then Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku.
Both the State and Saneem’s defense team have been instructed to submit relevant documents by October 28. Furthermore, Saneem and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum have been ordered to appear in court.
Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva represented the State, while lawyers Davenesh Sharma and Gul Fatima appeared on behalf of Saneem.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces a charge of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. It is alleged that Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and Saneem, during his tenure as Acting Prime Minister, from June 30 to July 12, 2022. The accusations suggest that this agreement, which allowed the government to pay Saneem’s taxes, was made without the requisite approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
Similarly, from June 1 to July 31, 2022, while Saneem served as Supervisor of Elections, he is accused of unlawfully soliciting and obtaining a tax relief benefit exceeding $50,000 on his back pay from a senior government official without proper authority or justification.
The hearing has been postponed until November 4.