Chief Justice Salesi Temo has adjourned the delivery of judgment in the case involving former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem to March 30, 2026.
The High Court matter centres on allegations that an unauthorised tax benefit was granted to Mr Saneem in mid-2022.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office, with the State alleging that while acting as Prime Minister, he signed a Deed of Variation authorising the Government to pay approximately $55,944 in back taxes owed by Mr Saneem.
Mr Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit, accused of seeking and obtaining the tax relief without lawful authority.
The prosecution had argued that the agreement was a so-called “replacement deed”, created with corrupt intent to bypass required constitutional oversight by the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
The defence, however, maintains that the payment was a legitimate reimbursement for previously withheld earnings, describing the matter as an employment issue rather than a criminal act. Defence lawyers have argued that no public funds were misused and that no constitutional provisions were breached.
Both Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr Saneem remain on extended bail pending the ruling in March.
