Supervisor of Elections to take the stand in Khaiyum, Saneem trial

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa will be the first witness to give evidence in the trial of former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, which begins at the High Court in Suva this morning.

State prosecutors confirmed that three officials from the Fiji Elections Office will take the stand on Day One.

Following Ms Mataiciwa’s testimony, the court will hear from FEO Director of Corporate Services, Sanjeshwar Ram, and Financial Controller, Romika Sewak.

Ms Mataiciwa is the complainant in the matter.

The case is being presided over by Chief Justice Salesi Temo.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count each of abuse of office and obstructing the course of justice, in relation to his signing of a Deed of Variation and Addendum on behalf of the Government and former SOE Mohammed Saneem in 2021.

Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit of $55,944.03 from the transaction.