Former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, has alleged in an affidavit that his rights were violated during his time in custody. Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, overseeing the case at the Magistrates Court in Suva, stated that he will evaluate whether these breaches occurred. Additionally, he will determine the legitimacy of the charges brought against Saneem by then-Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) John Rabuku.
Both the State and the Defense have been instructed to submit the necessary documents by October 28. Saneem, along with former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has been ordered to appear in court.
Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva represented the State, while Suva Lawyer Davenesh Sharma and Gul Fatima acted on behalf of Saneem.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces a single count of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit. The allegations suggest that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and Saneem.
It is claimed that this approval for the government to cover Saneem’s taxes occurred without the necessary consent from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President. Furthermore, it is alleged that during his employment as Supervisor of Elections, Saneem unlawfully solicited and received a benefit exceeding $50,000 in deductible tax relief on his back pay from a senior Government official without proper authority.
The hearing has been scheduled to resume on November 4.