The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) says it will carefully review the High Court judgment that acquitted former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.
The two men appeared before Chief Justice Salesi Temo at the Suva High Court today for judgment on charges relating to the approval of tax payments for the former Supervisor of Elections.
Sayed-Khaiyum had faced one count of abuse of office, while Saneem was charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit.
The prosecution alleged that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, Sayed-Khaiyum, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and Mohammed Saneem, approving the payment of Saneem’s tax liability without the proper approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
It was further alleged that between June 1 and July 31, 2022, Saneem, while serving as Supervisor of Elections, unlawfully sought and obtained a benefit by securing the approval and payment or waiver of more than $55,000 in tax charged on his back pay.
In his judgment delivered today, Chief Justice Temo found both accused not guilty and acquitted them of all charges.
In a statement issued following the ruling, the ODPP said it would now assess the decision before determining its next legal step.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will now carefully review the judgment before determining whether there are sufficient legal grounds to appeal the acquittals,” the ODPP said.
The review will determine whether the prosecution believes there are legal grounds to challenge the High Court’s decision in the appellate courts.
