Former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and current Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar appeared today in Suva Magistrate’s Court for a pretrial conference. Magistrate Charles Ratakele oversaw the proceedings.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces serious charges, including abuse of office for personal gain and an additional count of general dishonesty resulting in financial loss. Sagar is charged with general dishonesty. It has been reported that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is prosecuting the case with legal counsel Arieta Vaganalau representing the commission, while Sagar is defended by Ritesh Singh from Sherani & Co, and Sayed-Khaiyum is represented by Gul Fatima from RPatel Lawyers.
The case has a history of adjournments, with a plea hearing now scheduled for August 31, 2024. In prior articles, it is noted that Sayed-Khaiyum is accused of initiating legal proceedings without board approval, allegedly leading to significant financial detriments for the corporation. Specifically, he is implicated in actions that caused a loss of $138,813 from July 1, 2017, to January 31 of this year. One notable allegation includes bypassing the tender process for vehicle procurement valued at $207,470, further complicating the situation.
These ongoing proceedings signal a critical examination of accountability and governance within public service in Fiji. As the legal process continues, greater scrutiny on business practices and ethical standards in public institutions is expected, potentially serving as a lesson for future governance and transparency efforts in the region.
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