High Court defers Saneem, Sayed-Khaiyum judgment to March 30

Chief Justice Salesi Temo will deliver his judgment in the case involving former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem on March 30.

Chief Justice Temo told the High Court this morning that he required more time to prepare the judgment.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office, while Saneem faces one count of receiving a corrupt benefit. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

It is alleged that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, in Suva, Sayed-Khaiyum, while employed in the civil service as Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem.

The prosecution claims the agreement allowed for the payment of Saneem’s taxes without the approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President, amounting to an abuse of office.

The court also heard allegations that between June 1 and July 31, 2022, Saneem, while serving as Supervisor of Elections, unlawfully requested and received a benefit for himself.

The alleged benefit relates to the approval and payment of deductible tax relief of more than $50,000 on his back pay by a senior government official.