Mohammed Saneem, the former Supervisor of Elections, testified in court yesterday, asserting that his rights were violated during his arrest and subsequent detention earlier this year. Appearing before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad at the Suva Magistrate’s Court, Saneem is contesting charges against him and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. He is seeking to have these charges deemed null and void, citing breaches of his human rights from March 8 to March 11.
Saneem is accused of unlawfully soliciting and receiving more than $50,000 in deductible tax relief on his back pay while serving as Supervisor of Elections between June and July 2022. In his statement, he narrated the circumstances surrounding his dramatic arrest, where two police officers, who he claims posed as clients seeking legal assistance, instead took him into custody.
Despite hoping for legal representation, Saneem’s preferred lawyer was unavailable, and he alleged that after 4 PM that day, the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered his immediate charges. He testified that when he questioned the timing, the officers responded with an order to detain him. Saneem reported that he received no written justification for his detention, merely being told it was due to “orders from above,” leading to a frustrating period of silence from the DPP and other officials while he remained in custody.
During his three-day confinement at Totogo Police Station, Saneem described the adverse conditions he experienced, compounded by the stress from his prior role overseeing elections.
The case took an intriguing turn when Saneem was questioned about allegations of undue influence related to a FijiFirst party banner in a public area. In his defense, he provided a letter from the former chair of the Electoral Commission, which affirmed his efforts to have the banner removed, underscoring his commitment to neutrality.
Co-defendant Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum faces accusations of abuse of office, allegedly authorizing a payment that benefited Saneem without proper approvals while serving as Acting Prime Minister. The prosecution claims that Saneem used his connections within the government to solicit these benefits.
The court has adjourned the case until December 17 for a ruling.
This case highlights the broader theme of accountability and the importance of upholding legal rights within the judicial system. As it progresses, there is hope that it will foster greater transparency and adherence to the rule of law for all individuals, regardless of their position.
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