THE trial of a former and a current employee of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation begins today after the prosecution’s bid for an adjournment to restrategise its case was rejected.
Magistrate Charles Ratakele yesterday ruled that FICAC failed to show good cause for a delay, noting Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar’s case was nearly two and a half years old.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges including abuse of office for gain over alleged unauthorised legal fees totalling $138,813.37 between 2017 and 2023. Mr Sagar faces general dishonesty charges for allegedly approving $15,075.88 in payments without board approval.
FICAC prosecutor Setefano Komaibaba sought the adjournment, stating that two crucial witnesses were currently unavailable and that the prosecution needed to vacate the five-day trial to restrategise its case.
The defence opposed, citing the constitutional right to a timely trial, including the personal and financial strain of delays on the pair, who have prepared since charges were filed in 2024.
The defence argued that instead of seeking an adjournment, a nolle prosequi should have been entered, submitting that the charges against the two had “no value” and were therefore bound to fail.
The trial commences at 10.30 am.
