Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem are due to face consolidated charges of abuse of office and receiving corrupt benefits in court this Friday. The two individuals made an appearance before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad earlier today.
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abusing his position by allegedly authorizing a Deed of Variation and Addendum that enabled the government to pay tax obligations on behalf of Saneem without obtaining the necessary authorization from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President. This incident reportedly occurred between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while Sayed-Khaiyum was serving as Acting Prime Minister.
Conversely, Saneem faces allegations of soliciting and receiving over $50,000 in tax relief related to back-pay from June 1 to July 31, 2022, also without lawful authority. Claims indicate these benefits were conferred without the proper approval from the relevant governing bodies.
The trial is set to be tentatively held from May 26 to May 30 next year.
This case is significant, highlighting the need for accountability among senior officials in public service. The ensuing legal proceedings may serve as a pivotal moment in reinforcing governance standards in the region, with many eyeing the outcome as a measure of the commitment to transparency and accountability within the administration. This potential for reform underscores a hopeful trajectory toward stricter ethical conduct among public leaders.
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