FORMER Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says he is relieved a long, painful ordeal is over after the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) withdrew all criminal charges against him and chief financial officer Vimlesh Sagar.
Outside court, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum maintained the prosecution was politically motivated, emphasising board records and his 30-year media career reflected complete integrity. He detailed the steep personal cost of the process, which kept him from securing employment. Ruling out politics, he said he continues to learn patience ahead of a civil case next month regarding his FBC termination.
Echoing his sentiments, Mr Sagar described the acquittal as the end of a tough battle for his character. He highlighted the irony of the charges given that FBC’s financial records—including the 2023 transactions in question—received clean audit reports vetted by the Auditor-General for over a decade through the 2025 financial year. He thanked supporters, noting his faith in the Constitution sustained him through three years of travel restrictions.
The proceedings mark the final resolution of allegations surrounding the tender and procurement of a $207,470 Volkswagen Touareg. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had faced two counts of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss, while Mr Sagar faced one count of general dishonesty causing a loss.
The matter ended under Section 169 of the Criminal Procedure Act after defence lawyers Ritesh Singh and Gul Fatima urged acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika to consider representations. With no objections from Ms Rokoika, the court vacated the November 2 trial, concluding a case initially withdrawn on May 20, 2025, and reinstated on July 7, 2025.
