Former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, testified in a court hearing, asserting that his rights were violated during his arrest and subsequent remand earlier this year. Saneem appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in Suva Magistrate’s Court. This testimony occurred in the context of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (ODPP) motion to consolidate charges against him and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, as well as Saneem’s request for the dismissal of the charges based on his claimed rights violations.
Saneem alleged that his human rights were breached between March 8 and March 11 during his arrest and remand. The charges suggest that while serving as Supervisor of Elections from June 1, 2022, to July 31, 2022, he unlawfully solicited and received more than $50,000 in deductible tax relief on his back pay from a senior government official for personal gain.
Describing the alarming details of his arrest on March 8, Saneem reported that two police officers, disguised as clients seeking legal assistance, apprehended him at his law firm. Despite the unavailability of his primary lawyer, Saneem hoped to find a temporary substitute but was instead charged shortly after the encounter. He stated that he received no written explanation for his detention, only vague references to “orders from above.” During his three-day detention at Totogo Police Station, he faced challenging conditions, exacerbated by the stress of his former role overseeing elections.
The case took another interesting turn as Saneem confronted allegations of undue influence concerning a FijiFirst party banner at the Suva Civic carpark. He presented a letter from former Electoral Commission chair, Mukesh Chand, confirming his action in having the banner removed, which he claimed showed his commitment to neutrality.
Co-defendant Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum faces separate charges of abuse of office, linked to an improper payment that allegedly benefitted Saneem during his tenure as Acting Prime Minister. The case is set to resume on December 17 for a ruling, which will determine the next steps in these complex legal proceedings.
This case highlights the importance of upholding human rights within the legal system while simultaneously scrutinizing potential misconduct in governance. As it unfolds, it may lead to vital conversations about electoral integrity and the safeguarding of individuals’ rights in similar situations.
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