FORMER attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former supervisor of elections Mohammed Saneem’s no case to answer hearing on charges related to abuse of office will commence today.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva and prosecutor Hezekiah Nofaga closed the State’s case after filing an amendment to the men’s charges before Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is alleged to have executed a second Deed of Variation (DoV) and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Mr Saneem.
The second DoV stipulated that Government would pay or waive Mr Saneem’s additional deductible tax arising out of his backpay under the first DoV dated June 30, 2022.
The State alleges this was done without proper approval from the President or the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) in accordance with Section 136 of the 2013 Constitution.
Mr Saneem is alleged to have, without lawful authority and reasonable excuse, asked for and obtained a benefit for himself — 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 chairperson of COC and also the general secretary of the FijiFirst party — pursuant to the second DoV dated June 30, 2022 without the endorsement of President or the COC.
The defence plans to submit a no case to answer application along with their submissions by 9am today, while the State will respond by midday.
The hearing will begin at the High Court in Suva at 2.30pm.
