The prosecution faced criticism in court as they were reprimanded for not submitting additional disclosures within the set timeframe, which is crucial for the case involving former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the corporation’s current Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar. Magistrate Krishan Prasad stressed the importance of upholding the rights of the accused as the disclosures were expected by February 24.
Lawyer Devanesh Sharma, representing Sayed-Khaiyum, informed the court about the prosecution’s failure to provide the necessary documents. Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office aimed at personal gain and general dishonesty leading to a financial loss. It is alleged that between July 1, 2017, and January 31, 2023, he initiated five legal actions without board approval, resulting in expenses exceeding $138,813. Conversely, Sagar faces charges of general dishonesty for allegedly approving payments to RPatel lawyers without board consent, amounting to $15,075.88 within the same timeframe.
This incident is part of a broader investigation into corporate governance within Fiji, with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) involved in prosecuting the case. The defense team has indicated that if the requested disclosures are not submitted soon, they will file an application for discovery.
In response to these delays, Magistrate Prasad has granted the prosecution an additional 21 days to file the disclosures, with the case adjourned until April 1. The ongoing legal proceedings serve as a crucial reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in public service, which could potentially lead to reforms that strengthen ethical standards and restore public trust in institutions like the FBC. Through these developments, there’s hope for improved governance within public sector entities in Fiji.
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