The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has withdrawn charges against former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and current chief financial officer Vimlesh Sagar following consideration of representations made by both parties.
The charges were withdrawn under Section 169 of the Criminal Procedure Act, resulting in the discontinuation of the proceedings and the acquittal of both men.
The development follows defence lawyers Ritesh Singh and Gul Fatima urging FICAC to withdraw the prosecution to avoid wasting the court’s time, citing concerns about the availability of two finance witnesses required for the trial.
The defence had raised the issue before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa in the Suva Magistrates Court earlier this month revealing that FICAC intended to rely on two witnesses who had also been listed in an earlier case against the duo.
The court heard that in the previous matter, FICAC entered a nolle prosequi shortly before trial after failing to produce the two witnesses during the scheduled week-long trial.
Ms Fatima had informed the court that she was awaiting a response from FICAC acting commissioner Lavi Rokoika regarding representations made on behalf of the accused to determine whether the commission intended to proceed with the charges ahead of the trial scheduled for November 2.
The charges stemmed from allegations surrounding the tender and procurement of a Volkswagen Touareg valued at $207,470. Following consideration of the representations, FICAC withdrew the charges, bringing the proceedings against both men to an end.
