THE civil lawsuit initiated by former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem against the State for allegedly failing to pay his outstanding leave entitlement of $54,443.71 will be recalled on January 26, 2026.
Mr Saneem’s civil action was called before Justice Savenaca Banuve yesterday at the High Court in Suva for mention.
The defendants named in the lawsuit are the President, the Prime Minister, the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC), the Solicitor-General, and the Attorney-General.
According to the originating summons, Mr Saneem, who had a $350,000 salary, asserted that he was suspended with full pay following the change in government after the 2022 General Elections, and during this suspension, he submitted his resignation to the President, which was accepted the following year, “with immediate effect”.
Mr Saneem claimed he was entitled to a leave payout of 48 days, which included his annual leave and time-off-in-lieu, resulting in a final payout of $67,307, but received only $12,863.86
Mr Saneem claimed he is still owed $54,443.71 without any unlawful deductions as stipulated in Article 136 (1) of the Constitution. He had written to the defendants in 2023 and again this year, but the issue has not been addressed.
Today, Justice Banuve ordered Mr Saneem to amend his originating summons to include a prayer for additional relief covering remuneration subsequent to resignation (if any) within 21 days to be filed by December 18.
The defendants are to respond by January 8 next year. Mr Saneem to reply by January 15.
Additionally, reconciliation of all payments made in 2023 to Mr Saneem is to be given by the defendants by December 5.
