Lawyers for former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and chief financial officer Vimlesh Sagar have expressed disappointment over the prosecution’s inadequate response to long-standing disclosure requests concerning alleged financial losses.
The duo appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa yesterday in the Suva Magistrate’s Court.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum faces two counts of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss, while Mr Sagar faces one count of general dishonesty causing a loss.
The charges stem from the tender and procurement of a $207,470 Volkswagen Touareg for Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s use.
Both men deny the offences, maintaining the vehicle’s procurement was a board decision finalised after Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s employment with FBC was terminated.
Lawyers Gul Fatima, representing Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, and Ritesh Singh, representing Mr Sagar, made formal representations to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in late 2025 seeking specific documents regarding the alleged financial loss cited in the charge.
They argued that a recent two-page response from FICAC merely pointed to previously disclosed materials without addressing their specific requests.
Ms Fatima warned that if FICAC failed to provide a comprehensive response, the defence may file an application under Section 290 of the Criminal Procedure Act to compel disclosure, which would delay proceedings and increase client costs.
In response, FICAC prosecutor Josann Pene stated that whether a loss actually occurred is a trial issue for the court to determine. However, she confirmed she would await and address Ms Fatima’s upcoming written representations.
The case has been adjourned to July 9 for a further pre-trial conference, with a five-day trial to begin on November 2.
