High Court acquits Sayed-Khaiyum, Saneem

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem were acquitted by the High Court in Suva this morning.

Chief Justice Salesi Temo ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and acquitted both of their respective charges.

Sayed-Khaiyum had faced one count of abuse of office.

The State alleged that, while acting as Prime Minister, he approved a Deed of Variation authorising the Government to pay about $55,944 in back taxes owed by Saneem.

Saneem had faced one count of receiving a corrupt benefit. Prosecutors alleged he sought and obtained the tax relief without lawful authority.

Following the ruling, Saneem said the case exposed what he described as bias and unfair treatment, claiming authorities had interpreted the law in a partial and prejudicial manner rather than objectively.

Sayed-Khaiyum said the court had ultimately ruled fairly, demonstrating that the legal process had corrected the situation.

He said the case should never have been brought and raised concerns about what he described as the misinterpretation of contracts and the law.