The judgment regarding the case against former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem remains pending. Chief Justice Salesi Temo announced that he requires additional time to thoroughly review the evidence and facts presented in the case, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a correct judgment.
The judgment has been rescheduled for March 30. Sayed-Khaiyum faces a charge of abuse of office, while Saneem has been charged with receiving a corrupt benefit exceeding $55,000 in tax relief related to his back pay.
Representing Sayed-Khaiyum and Saneem are Senior Defence Counsel Devanesh Sharma and lawyer Gul Fatima, while Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva serves as the prosecutor. The complainant in the case is Ana Mataiciwa, the Supervisor of Elections.
The allegations indicate that during his tenure as Acting Prime Minister from June 30 to July 12, 2022, Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum pertinent to the government and Saneem, allegedly without the necessary approvals from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji. Meanwhile, Saneem is accused of unlawfully requesting and receiving a tax benefit during his employment as Supervisor of Elections between June 1 and July 31, 2022.
The careful consideration of evidence by Justice Temo reflects the judicial system’s commitment to upholding legal standards and ensuring justice is served in this high-profile case. The forthcoming judgment is anticipated to have significant implications for the individuals involved and the broader political landscape in Fiji.
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