Judgment for Sayed-Khiayum, Saneem deferred to May 14

Judgment in the abuse of office case involving former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has been deferred again — this time to May 14.

Chief Justice Salesi Temo made the decision at the Suva High Court yesterday, saying he wanted to be calm and composed before delivering his ruling.

He also noted that Saneem had requested time to attend a family reunion.

During yesterday’s hearing, defence lawyer Devanesh Sharma raised a recent High Court ruling — the Malimali judgment — as potentially relevant to legal questions in the case regarding the scope of presidential powers under the Constitution.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva objected, saying the case rested on factual evidence, not presidential powers.

Chief Justice Temo confirmed he would only receive submissions on matters of law.

The case centres on allegations that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, Sayed-Khaiyum — then serving as Acting Prime Minister — signed a Deed of Variation with Saneem without the required approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission or the President.

The prosecution alleges this resulted in the payment of more than $50,000 in tax relief to Saneem, a senior public official.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office, while Saneem faces one count of receiving a corrupt benefit.

Both charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.