Chief Justice Salesi Temo will preside over the case of former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, who appeared in the Suva High Court today on charges of abuse of office and receiving a corrupt benefit.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the matter was called for first mention before Chief Justice Temo.
It is alleged that Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and then Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.
The ODPP alleges that the approval for the government to pay the taxes of Mr Saneem was done without proper approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji.
Further allegations state that between June 1 and July 31, 2022, Mr Saneem, while employed as Supervisor of Elections, “without lawful authority and reasonable excuse, asked for, and obtained a benefit for himself, that is, the approval and payment/waiver of tax of more than $55,000 that was charged on his back pay.”
The ODPP confirmed that Information and disclosures have been filed and served in the matter.
Chief Justice Temo has fixed the trial to run from 15 September to 3 October 2025.
The matter has been adjourned to 16 July 2025 for plea, a bail variation hearing, and any pre-trial issues.
Bail has been extended for both accused.
