The trial of former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem is set to commence this afternoon in the Suva High Court, overseen by Chief Justice Salesi Temo. Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. These charges arise from an incident in 2022 when Sayed-Khaiyum, then Acting Prime Minister, allegedly signed a Deed of Variation approving the government to cover Saneem’s taxes without necessary endorsements from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji.
It is claimed that Saneem unlawfully obtained a benefit for himself, receiving more than $55,000 in waived taxes on his back pay. Court proceedings have gained significant public attention, with implications for governance and accountability within Fiji. Public interest is keen, as the trial is expected to highlight issues surrounding transparency and ethical conduct in public office.
Previously, both the prosecution and defense have expressed readiness for trial. The prosecution plans to rely on around 20 witnesses, with a focus on caution interviews. Defense lawyer Devanesh Sharma has yet to decide whether the defendants will testify. This high-profile trial represents an opportunity for the justice system to reinforce standards of integrity within government institutions, and its outcome could significantly impact public trust and future governance policies in Fiji. If conducted with transparency and fairness, it may serve as a precedent reinforcing accountability and ethical practices in public service.
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