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, who oversaw the case in Suva’s Magistrates Court, indicated that he would evaluate whether the rights violations occurred and would also determine the validity of the charges against Saneem, which were filed by then Acting DPP John Rabuku.
Both the State and the Defense have been instructed to submit their documents before October 28. Additionally, Saneem and the former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum are required to attend the Court session. Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva represented the State, while lawyers Davenesh Sharma and Gul Fatima acted on behalf of Saneem.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges of abuse of office, while Saneem is accused of receiving a corrupt benefit. The allegations against Sayed-Khaiyum suggest that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, he, during his tenure as Acting Prime Minister, authorized a Deed of Variation and Addendum with Saneem without securing proper approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President for the government to cover Saneem’s taxes.
Saneem is accused of unlawfully soliciting and receiving a benefit exceeding $50,000 in tax relief on his back pay from a senior government official between June 1 and July 31, 2022. The hearing for the case has been rescheduled to November 4.