Court Hearing on Charges Validity Adjourned

The court proceeding on the abuse of office charge against former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was adjourned yesterday.

The session was scheduled to hear the State prosecution’s response to the defence’s challenge of the charge approved by former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku.

The adjournment was because all magistrates were attending a conference in Suva this week.

The application was adjourned to next Tuesday at the Suva Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. Until this case is heard, the prosecution application to consolidate the files for both individuals will be put on hold.

Sayed-Khaiyum excused

Also in court, Sayed-Khaiyum will not attend the next court sitting.

Magistrate Joji Boseiwaqa granted this request while hearing Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Election, Mohammed Saneem’s case of abuse of office case.

Sayed-Khaiyum, who is charged with one count of abuse of office, is alleged to have signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem.

Following this transaction, Saneem was charged with receiving a corrupt benefit of $55,944.03 on his back-pay from Sayed-Khaiyum.

During the proceedings, defence lawyer Devanesh Sharma requested that his client’s presence be excused due to health issues.

The court granted the request, meaning only Saneem will appear at the next sitting.

Feedback: Beranadeta@fijisun.com.fj