In the ongoing legal proceedings involving former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, the Fijian elections office’s Manager of Corporate Services, Sanjeshwar Ram, testified in the Suva High Court. Ram revealed he had never encountered a situation where the government paid taxes on behalf of an employee, which is central to the allegations against the two defendants.
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office, while Saneem faces charges of receiving a corrupt benefit. It is alleged that during his tenure as Acting Prime Minister, Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum allowing the government to cover Saneem’s taxes without proper approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President. This arrangement supposedly benefited Saneem by over $50,000 through tax relief on back pay during his time as Supervisor of Elections.
Further insights from the courtroom reveal Chief Justice Salesi Temo’s stern warning to the prosecution to present compelling evidence or risk having the case dismissed. The defense arguments include allegations by Saneem of rights violations during his arrest and detention, a claim that the magistrate has stated will be thoroughly reviewed.
The trial sheds light on procedural expectations and transparency within government operations and highlights the judicial system’s role in scrutinizing high-level misconduct. As the proceedings continue, they underscore the importance of proper authorization and adherence to established legal frameworks in the conduct of public officials. The case is adjourned and will reconvene to further assess these serious allegations, potentially leading to significant implications for governance and public trust in the electoral process.
Leave a comment