The trial of former acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the ex-supervisor of elections has been stood down so Suva Lawyer Devanesh Sharma can consult his clients about the amended information filed this morning at the High Court in Suva.
Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva filed the amended information, which now better particularizes both abuse of office and receiving a corrupt benefit charges.
According to Chief Justice Salesi Temo, the state has the right to amend its information before closing its case.
For count one, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is alleged to have executed a second Deed of Variation (DoV) and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Mr Saneem, agreeing to pay or waive Mr Saneem’s additional deductible tax arising out of his backpay processes under the first DoV dated June 30, 2022 without proper approval from the President nor the Constitutional Offices Commission in accordance to Section 136 of the Constitution.
The incident allegedly occurred between June 30, 2022, and July 21, the same year.
For count two, Mr Saneem is alleged to have, without lawful authority and reasonable excuse, asked for and obtained a benefit for himself that is the approval and payment of a deductible tax relief of $55,944.03 on his backpay from Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, who was acting PM and chair of COC and also the General Secretary of the Fiji First Party pursuant to second DoV dated June 30, 2022 without the endorsement of President nor the COC in accordance with the process as prescribed under Section 136 of the Constitution. The receipt or expectation of the receipt of the benefit would tend to influence Mr Saneem as SoE.
The ODPP alleges the incident occurred between June 1, 2022, and July 31, the same year.
Mr Sharma had sought a day to consult his clients, but due to time constraints, CJ did not allow this.
The case resumes today at 2.30 pm.
