State witness Kiti Temo to be cross-examined in Sayed-Khaiyum, Saneem trial today

The former Secretary to the Office of the President, Kiti Moumou Temo, is set to be cross-examined this morning by lawyers representing former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.

Today marks day five of the trial, where Saneem is alleged to have received a corrupt benefit of $55,499.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office for allegedly signing a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem while serving as Acting Prime Minister in 2021.

Following the transaction, Saneem was charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit amounting to $55,944.03 in back pay.

So far, five state witnesses have testified.

Ms Temo is the sixth out of 20 witnesses scheduled to take the stand.

In her witness evidence yesterday, Ms Temo told the court that the Office of the President was not aware of the second Deed of Variation, which made further changes to Saneem’s salary.

She said the only correspondence received was a letter from the then Acting Solicitor-General—now Master of the High Court in Lautoka—Preetika Prasad, noting the salary change.

Ms Temo testified that no draft was attached to the letter. When she sought clarification, Ms Prasad explained the letter was merely to notify President Wiliame Katonivere of the changes and to be filed for record purposes.

The trial continues.